---
title: "What is the AI Assistant"
description: "Explanation of the AI Assistant: modes, agent skills, UI tours, and access limits."
---

# What is the AI Assistant?

The **AI Assistant** is a chat panel in ConnectiveOne that answers questions about the platform, uses the page you are on as context, and can perform actions in the system when your role allows it.

This is **not** Copilot in the operator panel: Copilot suggests replies to the customer in an active conversation. The AI Assistant helps **administrators and configuration teams** with platform documentation, settings, and modules.

## Work modes

Below the input field, open **Mode**:

| Mode | When to use |
| --- | --- |
| **Ask** | You only need an answer or explanation — no changes in the platform |
| **Agent** | Normal work: answers, documentation search, actions (if permitted) |
| **Plan** | A multi-step task — review a plan first, confirm or revise, then execution |

In **Plan** mode, an **Execution plan** block appears in the chat with steps and risk labels. Nothing is changed until you click **Approve**.

## Agent skills

An **agent skill** is a ready-made workflow for the **AI Assistant** in a specific area (settings, clients, broadcasts, bot scenarios, and so on). This is not the same as operator **skill groups** in Settings.

Type **`/`** in the input field to open the skill list (UI label **Skills**). Pick one, add your request, and send. Names follow your interface language.

## UI tours

If you ask **where in the interface** to find or configure something, the assistant may offer a **UI tour**: step-by-step hints with on-screen highlights. The chat shows **Show me** and **No thanks**.

## Page context

The assistant knows which platform section you are on (the **Context** tag above the input). Answers fit the current module instead of staying generic.

## Internet search and URL reading (optional)

If an administrator enabled the features, the assistant can:

- **Search the public internet** — current news, third-party API docs, facts outside ConnectiveOne documentation.
- **Read a public page by URL** — content of one open page (e.g. a partner API doc or a section of your site).

Both are **off by default**. For platform questions, the assistant still uses **built-in documentation**, not the internet.

Large sites (many pages) are handled **in batches** across several chat messages. Internal platform URLs and login-protected pages are not accessible.

Details: [Use web search and site reading](../how-to/use-ai-assistant-web-research.md), [Enable the feature (root)](../how-to/enable-ai-assistant-web-research.md).

## Who can do what

Access depends on three levels:

1. **Instance** — root enabled **Instance Agent Integration** (otherwise the assistant button is hidden). Separately — **Instance Agent: Web Search** and **Instance Agent: Fetch URL** (off by default).
2. **Role** — in **Menu → Settings → Users → Roles**, module **AI Assistant (Instance Agent)**: button access; (separately) **Allow the agent to create, modify, and delete data (write mode)**; (separately) web search and URL fetch.
3. **Instance read-only** — toggle **Agent Read-Only Mode**: everyone gets view and UI guidance only, no automatic changes.

If your role cannot edit via the assistant, it still answers and can run a tour, but will not change settings for you.

## Related materials

- [Use the AI Assistant](../how-to/use-ai-assistant.md)
- [Web search and site reading](../how-to/use-ai-assistant-web-research.md)
- [Configure AI Assistant access](../how-to/configure-ai-assistant-access.md)
- [Glossary: AI Assistant](../../product-glossary.md#ai-assistant)
- [Glossary: Agent skills](../../product-glossary.md#agent-skills)
- [Configure instance settings](../../settings/how-to/configure-instance.md)