Combined Now Assist in Platform Analytics release notes for upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated August 11, 2026
  • 9 minutes to read
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    Summary of Combined Now Assist in Platform Analytics Release Notes for Upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich

    This consolidated guide summarizes the key updates, new features, changes, and activation details for Now Assist in Platform Analytics as customers upgrade from the Yokohama release family to Zurich. It supports ServiceNow customers in preparing for and executing their upgrade by highlighting enhancements and modifications across patches and releases.

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    New Features

    • AI Data Explorer Enhancements: Introduced in Yokohama Patch 11 and refined in Zurich Patch 4, AI Data Explorer enables users to quickly ask questions, get tailored AI-driven recommendations, and collaborate on data analysis. Features include creating and sharing explorations, duplicating answers and explorations, summarizing findings, and adding visualizations directly to dashboards.
    • Query Generation Capabilities: Supports natural language translation into actionable insights and extends multi-table source support, including Workflow Data Fabric tables and database views, allowing richer, more comprehensive data analysis.
    • Semantic Data Layer Management: Starting with Yokohama Patch 7 and Zurich Patch 1, administrators can control which tables users can query via generative AI by adding them to the semantic data layer.

    Changes

    • Usage Measurement Transition: From Yokohama Patch 5 and Zurich Patch 5 onward, Now Assist usage measurement changed from a 365-day look-back model to a 365-day burn-down model that resets on the contract anniversary, improving accuracy in usage tracking.
    • Default Skill Activation: For new customers, designated Now Assist skills are automatically enabled upon installation. For existing customers upgrading, unconfigured skills are turned on by default, while previously disabled skills remain inactive. This applies to Query Generation and dashboard/data visualization export skills.
    • Visibility and Monitoring: Enhanced transparency into the Query Generation process shows each state of query handling. Additionally, monitoring tools for the health of Now Assist components and backend systems are available.
    • Expanded Data Support: Query Generation now supports dot-walking and related table conditions, enabling complex queries across multiple tables, including Workflow Data Fabric and database views.

    Removed and Deprecated Features

    No features or functionalities were removed or deprecated between Yokohama and Zurich releases.

    Activation and Installation

    • AI Data Explorer: Available via the ServiceNow Store for both Yokohama and Zurich releases.
    • Generative AI Controller: Installs Query Generation, Analytics Generation, and dashboard/data visualization export skills as dependencies for all Now Assist applications.
    • Skill Activation: Following installation, customers must activate relevant skills as needed. Detailed configuration guidance is available under Now Assist in Platform Analytics documentation.

    Additional Notes

    • No changes have been introduced regarding browser requirements, accessibility, localization, or additional system requirements between Yokohama and Zurich.
    • Key highlights include improved collaboration through explorations, a unified experience across Now Assist skills and other applications using Platform Analytics and AI, and the ability to generate and export analytics artifacts from conversational interactions.

    Consolidated page of all release notes for Now Assist in Platform Analytics from Yokohama to Zurich.

    How to use this page

    To help you prepare for your upgrade, we have combined the cross-family Now Assist in Platform Analytics release notes onto one page. Read this summary of the new features, changes, and updated information for your product from Yokohama to Zurich.

    Tip:
    If there were no updates for a release notes section in a certain family release, we included a short note for your reference. For example, if a product did not have any updates in Tokyo, the row says "No updates for this release."

    Important information for upgrading Now Assist in Platform Analytics to Zurich

    Before you upgrade to Zurich, review these pre- and post-upgrade tasks and complete the tasks as needed.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    New features

    Between your current release family and Zurich, new features were introduced for Now Assist in Platform Analytics.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama
    Yokohama Patch 11
    Gather insights, plan, and collaborate in the AI Data Explorer (January 2026)
    Ask quick questions, receive tailored recommendations, and collaborate with AI and your colleagues to build long-term analysis. Enable teams to discuss and act on findings instantly. Centralize insights and narratives for better decision making. Guide users with contextual insights and suggestions.
    Main features include:
    AI Data Explorer leverages Query Generation to translate natural language questions into actionable insights. Query Generation enables users of AI Data Explorer to analyze their data and access a broader range of data sets. Key capabilities include:

    Zurich
    Zurich Patch 4
    Gather insights, plan, and collaborate in the AI Data Explorer (December 2025)
    Ask quick questions, receive tailored recommendations, and collaborate with AI and your colleagues to build long-term analysis. Enable teams to discuss and act on findings instantly. Centralize insights and narratives for better decision making. Guide users with contextual insights and suggestions.
    Main features include:
    AI Data Explorer leverages Query Generation to translate natural language questions into actionable insights. Query Generation enables users of AI Data Explorer to analyze their data and access a broader range of data sets. Key capabilities include:

    Changes

    Between your current release family and Zurich, some changes were made to existing Now Assist in Platform Analytics features.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama
    Yokohama Patch 11
    Changes to Now Assist usage measurement
    Starting with Yokohama Patch 5, Now Assist usage measurement is transitioning from a 365-day look-back model to a 365-day burn-down model, with usage resetting at the contract anniversary date. For more information, refer to KB KB2704710: Now Assist Usage - Overview & New Measurement Logic.
    Some Now Assist skills are turned on by default
    The new default behavior works as follows:
    • New customers: When you install a Now Assist product, designated skills are turned on automatically.
    • Existing customers who are upgrading (starting with Yokohama Patch 11): Any previously unconfigured skill is turned on automatically (the skill was never configured and turned on, then turned off again). Previously configured skills that were turned on, then off, remain inactive.
    Query Generation skills are active by default
    If the Generative AI Controller plugin is activated, the skills for Query Generation are activated by default.
    Greater visibility into the Query Generation process
    When you call Query Generation from AI Data Explorer or another application, you see each state that the query and response goes through before completing.
    Multi-table source support
    Query Generation supports related table conditions and dot-walking in queries.
    Get insights and visualizations for Workflow Data Fabric tables
    Ask AI Data Explorer information about Workflow Data Fabric data and get insightful responses. You must first add the Workflow Data Fabric tables to the Query Generation Semantic Table Configuration table.
    Use database views in queries
    Generate visualizations or ask AI Data Explorer about data kept in database views, like SLA data. You have to add the database views to the Semantic Table Configuration table.
    Yokohama Patch 7
    Add tables to the semantic data layer
    Choose which tables your users can query with generative AI for data analysis.
    Monitor the health of the Query Generation back end
    View the state of Now Assist for Platform Analytics LLM, plugins, system properties, components, and dependent products.

    Zurich
    Zurich Patch 5
    Changes to Now Assist usage measurement
    Starting with Zurich Patch 5, Now Assist usage measurement is transitioning from a 365-day look-back model to a 365-day burn-down model, with usage resetting at the contract anniversary date. For more information, refer to KB KB2704710: Now Assist Usage - Overview & New Measurement Logic.
    Dashboard and data visualization export skill is active by default (January 2026)
    The new default behavior works as follows:
    • New customers: When you install a Now Assist product, designated skills are turned on automatically.
    • Existing customers who are upgrading (starting with Zurich Patch 5): If this skill was previously unconfigured, it is turned on automatically (the skill was never configured and turned on, then turned off again). If the skill was previously turned on, then off, it remains inactive.
    Zurich Patch 4
    Query Generation skills are active by default
    If the Generative AI Controller plugin is activated, the skills for Query Generation are activated by default. The new default behavior works as follows:
    • New customers: When you install a Now Assist product, designated skills are turned on automatically.
    • Existing customers who are upgrading (starting with Zurich Patch 4): Any previously unconfigured skill is turned on automatically (the skill was never turned on, then off again). Previously configured skills that were turned on, then off, remain inactive.
    Greater visibility into the Query Generation process
    When you call Query Generation from AI Data Explorer or another application, you see each state that the query and response goes through before completing.
    Multi-table source support
    Query Generation supports related table conditions and dot-walking in queries.
    Get insights and visualizations for Workflow Data Fabric tables
    Ask AI Data Explorer information about Workflow Data Fabric data and get insightful responses. You must first add the Workflow Data Fabric tables to the Query Generation Semantic Table Configuration table.
    Use database views in queries
    Generate visualizations or ask AI Data Explorer about data kept in database views, like SLA data. You have to add the database views to the Query Generation Semantic Table Configuration table.
    Zurich Patch 1
    Add tables to the semantic data layer
    Choose which tables your users can query with generative AI for data analysis.
    Monitor the health of the Query Generation back end
    View the state of Now Assist for Platform Analytics LLM, plugins, system properties, components, and dependent products.

    Removed

    Between your current release family and Zurich, some Now Assist in Platform Analytics features or functionality were removed.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Deprecations

    Between your current release family and Zurich, some Now Assist in Platform Analytics features or functionality were deprecated.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Activation information

    Review information on how to activate Now Assist in Platform Analytics.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    AI Data Explorer is available from the ServiceNow Store.

    Query Generation, Analytics Generation, and the dashboard and data visualization export skill are installed with Generative AI Controller, which is included as a dependency of all Now Assist applications.

    After installation, activate the relevant skills. For more information, see the relevant Configure topics under Now Assist in Platform Analytics.

    Zurich

    AI Data Explorer is available from the ServiceNow Store.

    Query Generation, Analytics Generation, and the dashboard and data visualization export skill are installed with Generative AI Controller, which is included as a dependency of all Now Assist applications.

    Visit the ServiceNow Store website to view all the available apps and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the ServiceNow Store version history release notes.

    After installation, activate the relevant skills. For more information, see the relevant Configure topics under Now Assist in Platform Analytics.

    Additional requirements

    If any additional requirements were introduced or changed for Now Assist in Platform Analytics we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Browser requirements

    If any specific browser requirements were introduced or changed for Now Assist in Platform Analytics we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Accessibility information

    Review details on accessibility information for Now Assist in Platform Analytics, such as specific requirements or compliance levels.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Localization information

    If there are specific localization considerations for Now Assist in Platform Analytics we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Highlight information

    If there are specific highlight considerations for Now Assist in Platform Analytics we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama
    Yokohama Patch 11
    • Review changes to Now Assist usage measurement.
    • Some Now Assist skills, agents, and agentic workflows are on by default.
    • Additional role configuration is required for agentic workflows and AI agents included with Now Assist applications.
    • Create "explorations"—editable documents where you analyze data with the help of AI. Refine responses, add your own input, and collaborate with others to make data-informed decisions faster.
    Previous Patch releases
    • Generate and export Platform Analytics artifacts from conversational interactions in the Now Assist panel.
    • Benefit from a single, smooth experience in asking questions across all Now Assist for Platform Analytics skills, as well as other applications that incorporate Platform Analytics and AI, through a shared backend.

    See Now Assist in Platform Analytics for more information.

    Zurich
    Zurich Patch 5
    • Review changes to Now Assist usage measurement.
    Zurich Patch 4
    • Some Now Assist skills are now turned on by default.
    • Create "explorations"—editable documents where you analyze data with the help of AI. Refine responses, add your own input, and collaborate with others to make data-informed decisions faster.
    Previous Patch releases
    • Generate and export Platform Analytics artifacts from conversational interactions in the Now Assist panel.
    • Benefit from a single, smooth experience in asking questions across all Now Assist for Platform Analytics skills, as well as other applications that incorporate Platform Analytics and AI, through a shared backend.

    See Now Assist in Platform Analytics for more information.