Set up Ask AI

Ask AI answers questions from published Fieldbook content. An operator connects the model service; an Administrator chooses the models, source types, and answer guidance, then enables it for admitted readers.

Install and run Fieldbook / Optional AI setupUpdated Oct 7, 2026v1

Ask AI is optional and off by default. Ordinary Search works without a model service, and MCP is configured separately.

The implemented router is Vercel AI Gateway. It can be configured independently of hosting; other routers are not implemented.

Operator configuration

The operator needs access to the hosting project and the Vercel account supplying Gateway.

  1. Make Gateway credentials and usage credit available for that project. A Vercel-hosted installation can use project OIDC authentication; an explicit API key is another option.
  2. For the key option, create a Gateway key and store it server-side as AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY. Never use a NEXT_PUBLIC_ prefix or commit it. The key takes precedence over project OIDC.
  3. Leave FIELDBOOK_AI_ROUTER unset for the Vercel default, or set it to vercel.
  4. Redeploy after changing environment variables.

See Gateway authentication (opens in a new tab).

Fresh database setup includes the published-content search functions. No embedding service or separate indexing job is needed.

Administrator configuration

An Administrator opens Manage organization → Ask AI.

  1. Enable Ask AI in the form to reveal its setup and model controls.
  2. Choose a Primary model and an optional Fallback model.
  3. Select the published source types: Docs, Updates, or Courses and lessons.
  4. Adjust Answer guidance if desired, then save.

The model catalog lists compatible text models with tool use. A Configured badge describes the detected setup; a real answer confirms credentials and usage availability.

Ask a question answered by your published content, then open its citation to check the source. A question outside the library should receive an explanation that evidence is missing.

Data and costs

Ask AI sends the question, recent conversation and selected published text to the router and model provider. Retrieval excludes drafts, quizzes, media bytes, account records and reporting data. A person can still type sensitive information into a question.

On a public installation, guests can use Ask AI. Fieldbook bounds individual requests but supplies no installation spending cap or daily question allowance. Choose provider settings and spending controls appropriate to your installation.

Change or disable it

Change the model, sources or guidance in Ask AI and save. To disable answers, turn off Enable Ask AI and save; ordinary Search stays available and model choices remain saved.

FIELDBOOK_AI_ROUTER=none makes the router unavailable. Disable the saved feature as well if you want it hidden from readers.

For failed requests or setup warnings, see Troubleshooting.