Searching and asking a question
Search by meaning, and ask BerlinOne a question with AI Mode.
The portal search works in two ways. By default, it finds categories and events. With AI Mode, it answers a question, drawing on BerlinOne's events. For the basics of search, and searching by date, see Getting started.
By meaning or exact words
Below the search bar, on the right, a switch sets how the search works:
- By meaning: search also finds events close to what you're looking for, even when they don't contain your words, and in all three languages. "Uprising" finds revolutions; "revolution" finds an event written in French.
- Exact words: only the categories and events that contain the words you typed.
Searching by meaning is free, on every plan. BerlinOne remembers your choice for your next visit, in this browser.
AI Mode
Click the AI button at the end of the search bar, then type your question: "Which events led to the fall of the Berlin Wall?", "What happened in Quebec in 1970?".
BerlinOne searches its events, then writes an answer. Below the answer:
- Source events: the events the answer relies on. The numbers in the text point to them: click a number to highlight the matching event.
- Also consulted: events BerlinOne read without citing them.
These events open just as they do in a regular search.
BerlinOne answers only with what it finds in its events: those of public categories, your own categories, and the ones shared with you. It draws on nothing else. Each question stands on its own: it doesn't remember the previous one. To refine, rephrase the whole question.
To return to the regular search, click the AI button again.
Thinking level
In AI Mode, below the bar, choose how much BerlinOne thinks before answering:
- Quick: an answer in a few seconds.
- Thoughtful: takes time to cross-check the events.
- In-depth: for complex questions. The longest thinking.
As with the switch, BerlinOne remembers your choice.
What it costs
Each question uses AI credits, depending on the level:
| Quick | Thoughtful | In-depth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 credit | 2 credits | 3 credits |
A question costs nothing when the search finds no events, or when BerlinOne can't answer. Once it writes an answer, the question counts — even to say the events it found aren't enough.
You can ask up to 50 questions a day.
Who can use it
AI Mode is for the Premium and Premium+ plans. On the Free plan, the AI button is greyed out: its 20 trial credits are kept for creating a category with the Lab. See Subscription and billing.
If something goes wrong
"No BerlinOne event answers this question" — try other words, or a date. No credits were used.
"Provisional answer" — the follow-up search didn't complete. The answer relies on a first search only, and may be incomplete: ask the question again.
"The question must be between 3 and 200 characters" — shorten it, or split it into several questions.
"AI mode couldn't answer" — try again in a moment. No credits were used.
"No AI credits left this month" — your credits refill on the 1st of each month.
"You have asked 50 questions today" — come back tomorrow.