Combined Generative AI Controller release notes for upgrades from Xanadu to Zurich

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated August 11, 2026
  • 9 minutes to read
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    Summary of Combined Generative AI Controller release notes for upgrades from Xanadu to Zurich

    The Generative AI Controller is a key ServiceNow AI Platform feature integrated with Now Assist applications. This consolidated release note covers important updates, new features, changes, and upgrade considerations from the Xanadu release family through to Zurich. It guides ServiceNow customers on what to expect when upgrading, how to leverage new capabilities, and manage AI model configurations effectively.

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    Important Upgrade Information

    • Generative AI Controller is installed or updated automatically when installing or updating any Now Assist application.
    • Pre- and post-upgrade tasks should be reviewed and completed to ensure smooth transitions.
    • Support resources and knowledge articles are available for installation or update issues.

    New Features

    • Metadata Log Table: Introduced to capture details of generative AI requests such as conversation context, capability definitions, feedback, and error codes for improved tracking and debugging.
    • Translation Enhancements: Dynamic Translation powered by Microsoft Azure OEM supports multi-language users with better language metadata and logging.
    • Global Model Selection: Admins can choose between GPT-4.0 and Now Assist LLM models globally to comply with regional restrictions and optimize model routing.
    • AI Asset Inventory: Enhanced tracking of AI assets and lifecycle details like retirement dates through AI Control Tower using new metadata fields.
    • AI Model Version Mappings: Visibility into mappings between AI model versions and providers, including metadata on skill and model types.
    • LLM Information Identification: Access logs to determine third-party LLM model, version, and language used for AI content generation.
    • Domain-Based LLM Usage Restriction: Admins can enable or disable Now Assist AI capabilities per domain to control AI data processing.
    • Long-Term Stable (LTS) Model: Introduced in Zurich to provide a stable, regulatory-aligned AI model with predictable behavior for confident integration.

    Changes

    • Updated prompts and semantic filtering for core capabilities including content generation, summarization, sentiment analysis, improving performance and accuracy.
    • Transition of Now Assist usage measurement from a 365-day look-back to a 365-day burn-down model resetting at contract anniversary.
    • Direct action calls in Generative AI Controller have been removed for security reasons; custom AI workflows should now use Now Assist Skill Kit.
    • Data Privacy application replaces Sensitive Data Handler for anonymizing personally identifiable information (PII), requiring updated configuration by administrators.
    • Some Now Assist skills are automatically enabled by default for new customers and unconfigured skills on upgrades, requiring role configurations for agentic workflows.

    Removals and Deprecations

    • No features or functionality were removed between Xanadu and Zurich releases.
    • The dependency on Sensitive Data Handler was removed in Yokohama; its regular expressions are migrated automatically to Data Privacy on upgrade.

    Activation and Requirements

    • Generative AI Controller activates with any Now Assist application installation.
    • No new additional system or browser requirements introduced between Xanadu and Zurich.

    Localization and Accessibility

    • Dynamic Translation uses Microsoft Azure OEM to support multi-language capabilities, enabled via Now Assist Admin console.
    • No new accessibility compliance or localization changes were noted.

    Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Improved AI model control and compliance through global model selection and domain-level restrictions.
    • Enhanced visibility into AI request metadata and model usage supports better debugging and auditing.
    • Stable AI model options with LTS improve predictability and regulatory compliance.
    • Streamlined data privacy management aligns with organizational policies to protect user data.
    • Updated usage measurement and default skill activation simplify monitoring and deployment.

    These improvements collectively enable customers to confidently upgrade to Zurich, optimize their generative AI capabilities, ensure compliance, and maintain operational control over AI-driven workflows within ServiceNow.

    Consolidated page of all release notes for Generative AI Controller from Xanadu to Zurich.

    How to use this page

    To help you prepare for your upgrade, we have combined the cross-family Generative AI Controller release notes onto one page. Read this summary of the new features, changes, and updated information for your product from Xanadu 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 Generative AI Controller to Zurich

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

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Yokohama

    Generative AI Controller is installed and updated when you install or update any Now Assist application. If you have issues installing or updating applications, see this knowledge article for steps that may address your issue. Otherwise, you can make a Support case.

    Zurich

    Generative AI Controller is installed or updated when you install or update a Now Assist application. If you have issues installing or updating applications, see this knowledge article or open a support case.

    New features

    Between your current release family and Zurich, new features were introduced for Generative AI Controller.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    Xanadu Patch 3
    Metadata log table for generative AI requests
    Use the new metadata log table that includes information about the requesting conversation, the capability definition, provided feedback (if any), and error codes.
    Translation for Now Assist
    Support users who speak different languages with new language information in LLM request metadata, better controls for Dynamic Translation, and translated text logging.
    Xanadu Patch 7
    Global Model selection for conversational skills
    Enable Now Assist Admins to choose between GPT4.o and Now Assist LLM model for data routing at a global level. This ensures compliance with any regional restrictions and helpful for APAC users who may face limitations with US-based models, such as GPT-4.0.

    Yokohama

    Yokohama Patch 10
    Administrator access to Gen AI log
    Access the Gen AI log [sys_generative_ai_log] table to gain insights for debugging purposes. HR-related records remain restricted to HR admins.
    Enhanced AI asset inventory
    Track the enhanced AI asset inventory through AI Control Tower using new metadata fields in the Model [sys_generative_ai_model_config] and Prompt [sys_generative_ai_config] tables. Gain better visibility into AI asset status and life-cycle details, such as retirement dates.
    Yokohama Patch 8
    AI Model Version Mappings
    Review the mappings between AI model versions, their providers in the Gen AI Model Version Mapping [sys_gen_ai_model_version_mapping] table. It shows mapping between source and target models, along with associated metadata, such as skill type, model type, resource associations, and provider information.
    Yokohama Patch 6
    Identify third-party LLM information
    Access the Gen AI Log Metadata [sys_gen_ai_log_metadata] table to identify which LLM model, version, and requested language was used to generate the AI content.
    Restrict LLM usage based on the domain
    Enable or disable Now Assist for each domain so that you can restrict the use of LLMs and avoid using AI for data processing, if needed.
    Yokohama Patch 1
    Global Model selection for conversational skills
    Enable Now Assist Admins to choose between GPT4.o and Now Assist LLM model for data routing at a global level. This ensures compliance with any regional restrictions and helpful for APAC users who may face limitations with US-based models, such as GPT-4.0.

    Zurich

    Zurich Patch 4
    Administrator access to Gen AI log
    Access the Gen AI log [sys_generative_ai_log] table to gain insights for debugging purposes. HR-related records remain restricted to HR admins.
    Enhanced AI asset inventory
    Track the enhanced AI asset inventory through AI Control Tower using new metadata fields in the Model [sys_generative_ai_model_config] and Prompt [sys_generative_ai_config] tables. Gain better visibility into AI asset status and life-cycle details, such as retirement dates.
    Long-Term Stable model for generative AI
    Promote stability and adoption for entitled users with a Long-Term Stable (LTS) model. The LTS model provides regulatory alignment, predictable behavior, and life cycle stability to integrate GenAI with confidence.
    Zurich Patch 2
    AI Model Version Mappings
    Review the mappings between AI model versions and their providers in the Gen AI Model Version Mapping [sys_gen_ai_model_version_mapping] table. This table shows the mappings between source and target models, along with associated metadata, such as skill type, model type, resource associations, and provider information.
    Identify third-party LLM information
    Access the Gen AI Log Metadata [sys_gen_ai_log_metadata] table to identify which LLM model, version, and requested language was used to generate the AI content.
    Restrict LLM usage based on the domain
    Enable or disable Now Assist for each domain so that you can restrict the use of LLMs and avoid using AI for data processing, if needed.

    Changes

    Between your current release family and Zurich, some changes were made to existing Generative AI Controller features.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    Directions for generative AI updates for Generative AI Controller
    The prompts, which are the instructions to the large language model (LLM), for all four capabilities (Generic Prompt, Generate Content, Summarization, and Sentiment Analysis), semantic filtering, and recursive summarization have been updated.

    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.
    Yokohama Patch 1
    Configure Data Privacy and Data Discovery to protect the personally identifying information (PII) of your users.
    Generative AI Controller has changed to use the Data Privacy application instead of the Sensitive Data Handler to help anonymize PII. The process for choosing what gets anonymized and how has shifted to different tables and forms that your administrator must configure for your organization.

    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.
    Direct action calls removed from Generative AI Controller
    Starting with Zurich Patch 5, the Generative AI Controller (GAIC) no longer supports direct action calls in order to support the security requirements that all AI capabilities be protected by Access Control Lists (ACLs). To create custom generative AI functionality, use Now Assist Skill Kit instead.
    • Configure actions in the Generative AI Controller
    • Generate Content to create AI-generated text responses
    • QnA to answer user questions
    • Summarize to shorten long or complex text
    • Generic Prompt to generate ideas or content on any topic
    • Sentiment Analysis to identify the sentiment of user input
    For more information, refer to KB KB2716977: Generative AI Controller actions are no longer avaliable for custom workflows.

    Removed

    Between your current release family and Zurich, some Generative AI Controller features or functionality were removed.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Yokohama

    No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    No updates for this release.

    Deprecations

    Between your current release family and Zurich, some Generative AI Controller features or functionality were deprecated.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Yokohama

    The dependency on Sensitive Data Handler has been removed. Regular expressions that are configured with Sensitive Data Handler are applied to the Data Privacy application with a fix script when you upgrade to Yokohama.

    Zurich

    No updates for this release.

    Activation information

    Review information on how to activate Generative AI Controller.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    Generative AI Controller is a ServiceNow AI Platform feature that is available with activation of any ServiceNow® Now Assist application. For details, see Installing Generative AI Controller.

    Yokohama

    Generative AI Controller is a ServiceNow AI Platform feature that is available with activation of a Now Assist application. For details, see Installing Generative AI Controller and Install Now Assist plugins.

    Zurich

    Generative AI Controller is a ServiceNow AI Platform feature that is available with activation of a Now Assist application. For details, see Installing Generative AI Controller and Install Now Assist plugins.

    Additional requirements

    If any additional requirements were introduced or changed for Generative AI Controller we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Yokohama

    No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    No updates for this release.

    Browser requirements

    If any specific browser requirements were introduced or changed for Generative AI Controller we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Yokohama

    No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    No updates for this release.

    Accessibility information

    Review details on accessibility information for Generative AI Controller, such as specific requirements or compliance levels.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Yokohama

    No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    No updates for this release.

    Localization information

    If there are specific localization considerations for Generative AI Controller we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    Generative AI Controller uses Microsoft Azure OEM for Dynamic Translation in Now Assist for multi-language support. You can enable dynamic translation from the Now Assist Admin console.

    Yokohama

    No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    Generative AI Controller uses Microsoft Azure OEM for Dynamic Translation in Now Assist for multilanguage support. You can enable dynamic translation from the Now Assist Admin console. For more information, see Microsoft Azure OEM for Dynamic Translation in Now Assist.

    Highlight information

    If there are specific highlight considerations for Generative AI Controller we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Xanadu

    Xanadu Patch 3
    • Review a read-only metadata log table for generative AI requests.
    • Use the improved language support for skills and capabilities, including the Dynamic Translation services and native translation by the LLMs.
    Xanadu Patch 1
    • Updated prompts for capabilities, semantic filtering, and recursive summarization that improve latency and processing for Generative AI Controller capabilities and Now Assist skills.

    See Generative AI Controller for more information.

    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.
    Previous Patch releases
    • Protect your users by configuring settings for anonymization of personally identifiable information (PII) with the Data Privacy application.

    See Generative AI Controller for more information.

    Zurich

    Zurich Patch 5
    • Review changes to Now Assist usage measurement.
    Zurich Patch 4
    • Access the Gen AI log for debugging insights, with HR-related records remaining restricted.
    • Promote stability with the Long-Term Stable (LTS) model for generative AI.
    • Identify third-party LLM information, including model, version, and language.
    • Restrict LLM usage based on domain.

    See Generative AI Controller for more information.