Configure AI search answers capability for web search

Australia Enable AI

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Australia Enable AI

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Configure AI search answers capability for web search

Release version: Australia

Updated March 12, 2026

3 minutes to read

AI web search is a OneExtend capability that enables end users to perform web searches and receive AI-powered answers. The capability supports multiple AI providers and integrates with virtual assistants and workflows.

Before you begin

When web search is turned on, Gemini is the default AI provider. To switch AI providers, admins must configure the AI Search answers OneExtend capability. The instance or skills default AI provider that is set in Now Assist Admin can differ from the web search AI provider. For more information on the default instance or skills AI provider, see Manage model providers.

Some of the AI providers require API keys whereas others don’t require API keys because they use OEM. The following table highlights the four AI providers and whether they use API keys or OEM.


AI providers that require API keys	AI providers that use OEM
OpenAI	Gemini Note: Gemini is the default web search AI provider in the AI Search answers OneExtend capability. If you selected Gemini as the LLM provider in Now Assist Admin and you want to use Gemini as your web search AI provider, you don’t need to configure the AI Search answers OneExtend capability.
Perplexity	Azure Note: Azure doesn’t currently support web search.

Role required: admin

Procedure

In the navigator filter, go to the OneExtend Capability list by entering sys_one_extend_capability.list.
Search for the AI Search answers OneExtend capability.
Select the AI Search answers record.
In the OneExtend Definition Configs related list, view the Default column.
When the AI provider's Default column is set to true, that is the AI search provider used for the web search. Gemini defaults to true. To change the AI search provider to an AI provider that requires the use of API keys, such as Perplexity or OpenAI, continue with the following steps.
Note:
Although Azure OpenAI answer is an option for an AI search provider, Azure doesn't support web search and should remain set to false.
In the OneExtend Capability Definitions related list, select the value in the Connection And Credential Alias column for the AI search provider you want to use.
For example, if you want to switch the web search AI provider to OpenAI, select sn_openai.OpenAI from the Connection And Credential Alias column.

The Connection & Credential Alias form opens. If no connections are available within the Connections related list, you must create a connection.

Complete one of the following actions based on the following scenarios.

Scenario	Action required
Connection is available	If a connection is already available within the Connections related list, continue to the next step.
Connection isn’t available and must be created	Select New within the Connections related list to create a connection. In the Name field, enter the connection name. For example, `Open AI connection`. Note: For more information about the fields on the HTTP(s) Connections New record form, see Create an HTTP(s) connection. Select the Lookup using list icon ( ) next to Credential. Select New to create a credential for your connection. Note: You may see an existing credential that you can select from the Credentials list, but some AI providers, like OpenAI, do not come with default credentials. Select API Key Credentials. Enter a name in the Name field. For example, `Open AI key`. Enter the API key in the API key field. Note: For more information about the fields on the API Key Credentials New record form, see API key credentials. Select Submit. You’re redirected back to the HTTP(s) Connections new record form. Enter the connection URL in the Connection URL field. For example, enter `https://api.openai.com` for Open AI. Select Submit.

Scenario

Action required

Connection is available

If a connection is already available within the Connections related list, continue to the next step.

Connection isn’t available and must be created

Select New within the Connections related list to create a connection.
In the Name field, enter the connection name.
For example, Open AI connection.
Note:
For more information about the fields on the HTTP(s) Connections New record form, see Create an HTTP(s) connection.
Select the Lookup using list icon ( ) next to Credential.
Select New to create a credential for your connection.
Note:
You may see an existing credential that you can select from the Credentials list, but some AI providers, like OpenAI, do not come with default credentials.
Select API Key Credentials.
Enter a name in the Name field.
For example, Open AI key.
Enter the API key in the API key field.
Note:
For more information about the fields on the API Key Credentials New record form, see API key credentials.
Select Submit.
You’re redirected back to the HTTP(s) Connections new record form.
Enter the connection URL in the Connection URL field.
For example, enter https://api.openai.com for Open AI.
Select Submit.

In the OneExtend Definition Configs related list, set the existing default AI provider from true to false.
In the OneExtend Definition Configs related list, set the AI provider that you want to use from false to true.

Select Update.
The AI provider for web search is now updated.

Result

End users can now perform an internet search to answer a query whenever in web search mode. For more information about web search mode for end users, see Web search.

What to do next

If you switched the AI provider to Perplexity, you must work with the sn_ai_websearch.perplexity_model_name system property. For more information on this system property, see Now Assist in Virtual Agent system properties.