Join the ArcGIS Pro assistant 3.5 beta: Help Shape the Future of Desktop GIS

We are building the future of GIS workflows in ArcGIS Pro—and it’s conversational. With the ArcGIS Pro assistant 3.5 (beta), we’re beginning an exciting journey toward transforming how you interact with spatial data, tools, and documentation. With continued development and user feedback, our goal is to create a tool that simplifies your workflows and empowers you to solve problems more intuitively. Let’s look at what the ArcGIS Pro assistant (beta) can do today and how to get started. Be part of this groundbreaking journey—apply today and help shape the future of conversational GIS! 

What Can the assistant Do Today? 

The ArcGIS Pro assistant (beta) includes the following options: 

• Help — The assistant answers ArcGIS Pro help documentation questions in a conversational manner. 

• Graph Query — The assistant generates openCypher queries for a given knowledge graph schema. These queries can then be used in knowledge graph workflows. 
• Query Layer — The assistant creates query layers by generating SQL queries for a specified database connection and table schemas. 

• Perform actions — If corresponding AI-assisted actions are available, the assistant performs the actions upon request.

Extend the assistant with Custom Actions 

Developers can further extend the assistant by creating custom actions tailored specifically for their workflows. These custom functions can be triggered by natural language input. For example, you can build a function to automate and standardize creating a comprehensive project report layout by simply typing “Generate the standard project layout titled ‘Urban Development Report’ with defined map elements and branding”. This would ensure consistency, reduce manual workload, and significantly boost productivity. 

Access to the Pro assistant Early Adopter Community (EAC) includes the SDK, complete with: 

• Sample code demonstrating how to implement custom AI Assistant functions 

• Visual Studio Item Template for quickly scaffolding your own AI Assistant functions 

• An easy-to-use ProGuide document providing detailed step-by-step instructions to build and register custom AI Assistant actions.

What to Expect 

Something massive and important like this endeavor for our GIS community can’t happen overnight. It takes continuous testing and iterations to get things just right so that it benefits your workflows. Here are a few things users should anticipate with the beta: 

• Limited Initial Actions: Currently, a limited set of actions are programmed into the assistant; however, more actions are under development. And if you are part of the Early Adopter Community (EAC) or considering joining, your feedback in testing this new feature will help determine what to prioritize next. 

• Varied Responses: The assistant continuously learns and adapts, resulting in dynamic responses that can evolve as you refine your interactions. This variability is normal and expected. 

How to Get Started 

If you’ve read up to this point, you can tell that so much of this development is dependent on our ArcGIS Pro users joining the EAC and signing up for the ArcGIS Pro assistant (beta). If you aren’t familiar with the EAC, it’s how you gain early access to innovative features of ArcGIS Pro like the ArcGIS Pro assistant. And by participating, testing new capabilities, and providing feedback, you are directly shaping the ongoing enhancements and functionality of ArcGIS Pro.  

To participate in the ArcGIS Pro assistant (beta): 

1. Apply for Access: Fill out the survey to request to join. 
2. Once accepted, install ArcGIS Pro 3.5 with Semantic Search and Tool Suggestions enabled.

3. Download the Pro assistant (beta) from the Early Adopter Community.
4. Launch the assistant: Navigate to Help tab > AI Assistant (Beta) and begin exploring.

Exclusive Early Access: Available only to ArcGIS Online/ArcGIS Enterprise named users in organizations that allow beta functionality and have the AI assistant enabled, to ensure secure and premium access.

Learn More: Apply | Early Adopter Documentation

Hopefully, you’ve been inspired by the early development of the ArcGIS Pro assistant, and its potential to transform the way you work for the better. Do not miss this unique chance to be a part of something big. Join us in shaping the future of conversational GIS in ArcGIS Pro by signing up today.