--- sourceDocument: zurich Combined Product Files sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/delta-yokohama-zurich Release : - zurich ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - zurich Combined Product Files ft:clusterId : - delta3zy bundleId : - delta3zy --- # Combined AI Search release notes for upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich # Combined AI Search release notes for upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Zurich Updated October 8, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 12 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Combined AI Search Release Notes for Upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich This consolidated guide assists ServiceNow customers in preparing for AI Search upgrades from the Yokohama to the Zurich release family. It details new features, changes, deprecations, and important upgrade considerations, helping customers understand what has improved and how to optimize AI Search functionality post-upgrade. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **Hybrid Search Mode:** Combines keyword-based and semantic search for more precise and contextually relevant results, reducing zero-result searches. * **Third-Party Embedding Models:** Integration with custom and third-party models via AI Search RAG application enhances semantic search accuracy. * **Indexed Source Guardrails:** Limits indexing of Task and Alert records to control index size and improve performance. * **Search Source Exclusion:** Configure search profiles to exclude specific sources from regular or Genius Result generation, including their attachments. * **Knowledge Block Content Indexing:** Includes content from knowledge blocks in search indexes to improve recall, with an option for administrators to disable. * **Synonym Dictionary Boosts:** Use synonym dictionaries with result improvement rules to boost relevancy of search results matching synonyms. * **Fuzzy Numeric Search:** Enables searching records by number without requiring exact prefix or leading zero matches. * **Multi-Source Synthesized Responses:** AI Search can generate comprehensive responses by synthesizing information from multiple indexed sources. * **ServiceNow Otto Integration:** Now Assist in AI Search is rebranded as ServiceNow Otto for AI Search, offering conversational AI with agentic capabilities and multimodal interactions. * **Language Filtering:** External content search results are filtered by user session language and configured fallback languages for relevance. * **Variable Indexing:** Supports indexing of multiple choice and select box variables in Catalog Item records and extensions. * **Enhanced EVAM Card Display:** New display properties allow customization of icons, tab behavior, and attachment viewing in search results. * **Consumer-Grade Search Experience:** Updated search results pages for portals, global, and workspace search with source facet buckets replacing navigation tabs, results opening in new tabs, and improved attachment grouping. * **Coral Theme:** Introduced as default for new portals and experiences, providing a fresh, brand-neutral look with dark mode options. ## Changes * **Genius Results Behavior:** Activating Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Results in global or workspace search profiles overrides other Genius Result configurations. * **Search Suggestions Access:** aisadmin granular admin role now controls access to Search Suggestions tables, allowing more secure role assignment. * **Search Preview UI:** Refreshed UI provides better insights into search query behavior with options to preview in keyword or hybrid modes and display results as EVAM cards or JSON. * **Facet Bucket Sorting:** Option to sort facet buckets alphabetically instead of by result count. * **Search Terms Highlighting:** Removed highlighting of search terms in results to streamline visual presentation. * **Attachment Display Improvements:** Grouped attachments collapse by default with controls to show more or less, saving space. ## Deprecations and Removals * **External Content Q\&A Genius Results:** Marked for future deprecation starting from Now Assist in AI Search 8.0 but remains supported through current releases. * No feature removals reported between Yokohama and Zurich releases. ## Upgrade and Activation Information * AI Search is active by default in both Yokohama and Zurich releases. * Pre- and post-upgrade tasks should be reviewed and completed as needed to ensure smooth transition. ## Browser and Accessibility * Optimal performance requires the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox; Internet Explorer is not supported. * No changes to accessibility or localization support; AI Search continues to support all ServiceNow AI Platform languages and internationalization features. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers * Enhanced search accuracy and relevance through hybrid search and semantic improvements. * Improved control over indexed content and search source behavior to tailor search results. * More intuitive and consistent user experiences across search portals and workspaces. * Advanced AI-generated multi-source answers to improve knowledge discovery and workflow efficiency. * Streamlined administration with granular roles and improved preview tools for search tuning. Consolidated page of all release notes for AI Search from Yokohama to Zurich. ## How to use this page To help you prepare for your upgrade, we have combined the cross-family AI Search 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 AI Search to Zurich Before you upgrade to Zurich, review these pre- and post-upgrade tasks and complete the tasks as needed. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__2} | 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 AI Search. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__8} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | [Improve search precision and contextual relevance with hybrid search](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=hybrid-search-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Beginning with Now Assist in AI Search 15.0, customers with Now Assist in AI Search installed can enable the new hybrid search mode. Hybrid search combines keyword-based search with semantic understanding to deliver more accurate and relevant search results, with fewer zero-result searches. [Improve semantic search with third-party embedding models](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ais-rag&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Use custom and third-party embedding models supported by the AI Search RAG application to generate more accurate and relevant semantic search results. [Limit the number of Task and Alert records indexed with indexed source guardrails](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=indexed-source-guardrails-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Index guardrail settings restrict index size and increase search performance by limiting the number of Task and Alert table records indexed for search. [Exclude search sources in a search profile from search result or Genius Result generation](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=genius-results-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Tune your search results by configuring search source exclusion settings in your search profiles. You can exclude a search source from being used to generate regular search results, Genius Result answers, or both. When excluding a search source's records from Genius Result answer generation, you can also choose to exclude its attachments. [Knowledge block content indexing](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exclude-know-blocks-ais-index&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : When you index knowledge articles for search, AI Search now includes content from knowledge blocks to improve search recall. Administrators can disable indexing of knowledge block content if desired. [Boost relevancy for search results that match synonyms from a synonym dictionary](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=boost-results-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Define synonyms in a synonym dictionary and configure a result improvement rule to apply relevancy boosts (positive or negative) to search results that match any of those synonyms. [Customize semantic indexing settings for indexed sources](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=semantic-index-cfg-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Customize semantic indexing settings for your indexed sources. [Fuzzy numeric search](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=fuzzy-numeric-search&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Find records by their Number using numeric search terms like 23583, with no need to match alphabetical prefixes or leading zeroes. | | Zurich | [ServiceNow Otto for AI Search](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=now-assist-ais&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : ServiceNow Otto introduced AI on the platform. As that experience has evolved, there's a new name for the experience. ServiceNow Otto® is the conversational AI platform integrated into ServiceNow workflows. It provides agentic capabilities, supports multimodal interactions across web, mobile, and messaging channels, and enables autonomous orchestration for cross-system workflows. Name changes include but aren't limited to: * Now Assist in AI Search is now ServiceNow Otto for AI Search. * Now Assist Actions is now Actions. * Now Assist Q \& A is now Knowledge base articles. * Now Assist Multi Content Response is now Summary. [Generate multi-content synthesized responses](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=generate-multi-content-synthesized-sources&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : AI Search can now use multi-source synthesis to gather and combine information from any indexed source in your system. [Improve search precision and contextual relevance with hybrid search](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=hybrid-search-ais&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Beginning with Now Assist in AI Search 15.0, customers with Now Assist in AI Search installed can enable the new hybrid search mode. Hybrid search combines keyword-based search with semantic understanding to deliver more accurate and relevant search results, with fewer zero-result searches. [Improve semantic search with third-party embedding models](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ais-rag&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Use custom and third-party embedding models supported by the AI Search RAG application to generate more accurate and relevant semantic search results. [Filter external content search results by language](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=language-filtering-external-content&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : AI Search filters external content search results, displaying only results that contain content in languages relevant for the user's search. These languages include: * The search user's session language * The fallback language for the user's session language (if configured) * The language of the global fallback locale (if configured) [Indexing support for variables in records on Catalog Item and child tables](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=variable-types-ais-index&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Index searchable content from Multiple Choice and Select Box variables in records on the Catalog Item table and tables that extend it. [New display properties for Search Result EVAM cards](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=search-result-evam-card-opts&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Search Result EVAM cards include new customIcon, customIconSize, forceNewTab, and useAttachmentViewer properties that you can use to modify display settings and behavior for search results. | [ ] ## Changes Between your current release family and Zurich, some changes were made to existing AI Search features. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__14} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | [Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Results](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=now-assist-multi-content-qna-genius-results&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : If you have Now Assist in AI Search installed, Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Results are supported in global and workspace search. Activating Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Results in global or workspace search profiles overrides all other Genius Result configurations, so that global and workspace searches only display Genius Result answers from Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Results. Virtual Agent topic citations from Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Result answers in global or workspace search open the selected topic in the Now Assist panel so the user can continue their conversation on that topic. [Search Suggestions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=search-suggestions-overview&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Search administrators with the ais_admin granular admin role can access all Search Suggestions tables. Assign search administrators this role to eliminate needless propagation of full admin access. [Gain insights into search behavior with a refreshed and updated Search Preview UI.](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=search-preview-ui-new&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Preview search query results using settings from a search application configuration or a search profile. Choose between keyword and hybrid search modes. Display search results as individual EVAM cards or as a JSON-format search query response object, with search and syntax highlighting. Review search query behavior and results and specify search query settings with the new Summary, Genius Results, Details, and Profile admin tools. [Consumer-grade search experience for search portals](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=viewing-search-results-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : The search results page for search portals has been revised to offer a more intuitive and consistent experience. Navigation tabs have been replaced with source facet buckets. All search results now open in a new browser tab, preserving your search in the existing browser tab. Facet buckets now show minimum search result counts, reflecting results removed by late binding content security. Search terms are no longer highlighted in search results. [Consumer-grade search experience for global search and workspace search](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=using-ais-next-experience-app&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : The search results page for global search and workspace search has been revised to offer a more intuitive and consistent experience. Navigation tabs have been replaced with source facet buckets. All search results now open in a new browser tab, preserving your search in the existing browser tab. Facet buckets now show minimum search result counts, reflecting results removed by late binding content security. A new glide.ui.ais.show_all_facets system property enables you to display facets from all sources when no source is selected. (The default behavior is to hide facets until a source is selected.) Search terms are no longer highlighted in search results. [Sort facet buckets alphabetically](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=create-facet-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Override the default sorting of facet buckets by their search result counts and display them sorted alphabetically by their labels. [Improved display for grouped attachment search results](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=grouping-attachment-srch-results-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : When grouped with their parent search results, attachment search results now appear in collapsed form to save space. If a parent search result includes more than three grouped attachments, you can use the new Show more and Show less links to control how many attachments are visible. | | Zurich | [Summary Genius Results](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=now-assist-multi-content-qna-genius-results&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : If you have Now Assist in AI Search installed, Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Results are supported in global and workspace search. Activating Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Results in global or workspace search profiles overrides all other Genius Result configurations, so that global and workspace searches only display Genius Result answers from Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Results. Virtual Agent topic citations from Now Assist Multi-Content Response Genius Result answers in global or workspace search open the selected topic in the Now Assist panel so the user can continue their conversation on that topic. [Search Suggestions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=search-suggestions-overview&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Search administrators with the ais_admin granular admin role can access all Search Suggestions tables. Assign search administrators this role to eliminate needless propagation of full admin access. [Gain insights into search behavior with a refreshed and updated Search Preview UI.](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=search-preview-ui-new&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Preview search query results using settings from a search application configuration or a search profile. Choose between keyword and hybrid search modes. Display search results as individual EVAM cards or as a JSON-format search query response object, with search and syntax highlighting. Review search query behavior and results and specify search query settings with the new Summary, Genius Results, Details, and Profile admin tools. Coral theme : Coral is now the default theme for new portal, web, and mobile experiences with Next Experience or Core UI enabled. This theme provides a fresh look and feel, featuring brand-neutral illustrations to enhance your user experience. A dark theme option is available for web and mobile experiences. [Consumer-grade search experience for search portals](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=viewing-search-results-ais&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : The search results page for search portals has been revised to offer a more intuitive and consistent experience. Navigation tabs have been replaced with source facet buckets. All search results now open in a new browser tab, preserving your search in the existing browser tab. Facet buckets now show minimum search result counts, reflecting results removed by late binding content security. Search terms are no longer highlighted in search results. [Consumer-grade search experience for global search and workspace search](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=using-ais-next-experience-app&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : The search results page for global search and workspace search has been revised to offer a more intuitive and consistent experience. Navigation tabs have been replaced with source facet buckets. All search results now open in a new browser tab, preserving your search in the existing browser tab. Facet buckets now show minimum search result counts, reflecting results removed by late binding content security. A new glide.ui.ais.show_all_facets system property enables you to display facets from all sources when no source is selected. (The default behavior is to hide facets until a source is selected.) Search terms are no longer highlighted in search results. [Sort facet buckets alphabetically](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=create-facet-ais&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Override the default sorting of facet buckets by their search result counts and display them sorted alphabetically by their labels. [Improved display for grouped attachment search results](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=grouping-attachment-srch-results-ais&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : When grouped with their parent search results, attachment search results now appear in collapsed form to save space. If a parent search result includes more than three grouped attachments, you can use the new Show more and Show less links to control how many attachments are visible. | [ ] ## Removed Between your current release family and Zurich, some AI Search features or functionality were removed. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__20} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Deprecations Between your current release family and Zurich, some AI Search features or functionality were deprecated. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__26} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | Starting with the Now Assist in AI Search 8.0 release, the External Content Q\&A Genius Results feature is being prepared for future deprecation. It will continue to be supported until it is deprecated. For details, see the [Deprecation Process \[KB0867184\]](https://support.servicenow.com/kb_view.do?sysparm_article=KB0867184) article in the Now Support Knowledge Base. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Activation information Review information on how to activate AI Search. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__32} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | Activation information : AI Search is a ServiceNow AI Platform feature that is active by default. | | Zurich | Activation information : AI Search is a ServiceNow AI Platform feature that is active by default. | [ ] ## Additional requirements If any additional requirements were introduced or changed for AI Search we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__38} | 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 AI Search we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__44} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | Browser requirements : For optimal performance, use AI Search in the latest release of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. AI Search doesn't support Internet Explorer. | | Zurich | Browser requirements : For optimal performance, use AI Search in the latest release of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. AI Search doesn't support Internet Explorer. | [ ] ## Accessibility information Review details on accessibility information for AI Search, such as specific requirements or compliance levels. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__50} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Localization information If there are specific localization considerations for AI Search we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__56} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | Localization information : AI Search supports indexing and search in all languages offered by the ServiceNow AI Platform. Search features, such as stop words and synonyms, are available in many supported languages. For details of language support by feature, see [Internationalization support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=international-language-support-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US). | | Zurich | Localization information : AI Search supports indexing and search in all languages offered by the ServiceNow AI Platform. Search features, such as stop words and synonyms, are available in many supported languages. For details of language support by feature, see [Internationalization support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=international-language-support-ais&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US). | [ ] ## Highlight information If there are specific highlight considerations for AI Search we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-aisearch-summary__entry__62} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | * Index and search text and attachments from ServiceNow AI Platform tables and external document repositories. * Machine learning relevancy intelligently tunes search result relevancy scores based on previous search users' selections. * Semantic vector search and hybrid search modes find results that match the intent and context of your search. * Genius Results highlight the best answers for a search query and provide immediate access to relevant actions. * Content security preserves user access permissions for your searchable content. See [AI Search](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=overview-ais&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) for more information. | | Zurich | * Index and search text and attachments from ServiceNow AI Platform tables and external document repositories. * Machine learning relevancy intelligently tunes search result relevancy scores based on previous search users' selections. * Semantic vector search and hybrid search modes find results that match the intent and context of your search. * Genius Results highlight the best answers for a search query and provide immediate access to relevant actions. * Content security preserves user access permissions for your searchable content. See [AI Search](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=overview-ais&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) for more information. | [ ]