Short answer
AI Chat lets you chat with the top available AI models such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok in a standalone environment that isn’t connected to any Project. You can use it to brainstorm ideas, explore topics, or test prompts freely without uploading files or using retrieval tools.
Full explanation
The AI Chat feature gives you a flexible space to think, experiment, and create without connecting to your stored data. Unlike Project chat, which references your uploaded, saved documents, AI Chat focuses purely on external AI model knowledge.
You can use it to:
Brainstorm ideas for projects, content, or strategies.
Explore topics without referencing existing datasets.
Test or refine prompts before applying them in a connected workspace.
Work on document drafts or any other material that is not part of the permanent dataset using the temporary upload feature.
AI Chat looks and feels similar to Project chat, but with important differences that keep it separate from your Projects:
External Knowledge is included by default, to allow AI model information to be included in the response.
It does not allow permanent file storage. Any uploads are temporary for the chat session.
It does not include project-specific actions such as document retrieval or uploads.
This makes AI Chat ideal for quick discussions, creative exploration, or testing how AskTuring responds to different types of queries, all in a focused, independent environment.
Even though the AI Chat workspace isn’t connected to your Projects, all chats are still saved in your Ask History, allowing you to revisit, rename, or continue them later.
Tips
Use AI Chat when you want to experiment freely without affecting project data or search results.
Switch to a Project chat anytime if you need AskTuring to draw on indexed, uploaded, and saved documents for more specific answers.
Rename AI chats in your Ask History to organize your brainstorming sessions or prompt tests.
Examples
A marketing firm uses AI Chat to brainstorm taglines and campaign themes before moving to a Project chat linked to client data.
A software company tests prompt variations to improve how AskTuring explains product features before connecting to their documentation Index.
A consulting agency uses AI Chat to outline proposal ideas and structure templates without referencing stored files.
A university research team explores potential study topics and question phrasing before creating a project workspace linked to academic sources.