The AI content generator helps you draft message templates, document text, and other written content in seconds, so your agency can create professional communications without starting from a blank page.

### Overview

eCourtDate includes a built-in AI content generator that uses large language models to produce draft message templates, document text, and other written content tailored to government agency workflows. Instead of spending time writing court reminders, payment notices, or check-in instructions from scratch, you describe what you need, select a use case template, and let the AI generate a first draft. You can then review, edit, and save the output directly as a message template.

- The generator is available under **Admin** > **Messaging** > **Generator**.
- It supports a variety of use case templates designed for common government communication scenarios.
- You can customize the AI model and generation parameters to control the tone, length, and style of the output.
- Generated content can be previewed before saving, so you always have a chance to review and refine.
- The generator is a drafting tool. It produces a starting point that your team reviews and approves before any content reaches clients.

### Prerequisites

Before using the AI content generator, make sure you have:

- An active eCourtDate agency on staging or production
- Super admin role or the **Create Auto Messages** and **Update Auto Messages** permissions
- A clear idea of the message type, audience, and purpose (for example, "court hearing reminder for misdemeanor cases" or "payment overdue notice for fines")
- Familiarity with your agency's tone and terminology guidelines, since you will need to review the AI output for accuracy
- An understanding of merge tags if you want to add personalization to generated content

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Navigate to the Generator

1. Click **Admin** in the top navigation bar.
2. Select **Messaging** from the dropdown menu.
3. Click on the **Generator** tab.
4. The AI content generator page loads with a form for describing what you want to create.

#### Step 2: Choose a Use Case Template

1. In the **Use Case** dropdown, browse the available templates. Common options include:
   - **Court Hearing Reminder**: Generates a reminder message for an upcoming court date
   - **Payment Due Notice**: Creates a notification about an outstanding payment or fine
   - **Check-In Reminder**: Drafts a message for probation or supervision check-ins
   - **Welcome Message**: Produces an introductory message for newly enrolled clients
   - **Status Update**: Generates a notification about a case or event status change
   - **General Notification**: Creates a flexible message template for custom scenarios
2. Select the use case that best matches your needs.
3. The form updates to show relevant fields and suggested parameters for that use case.

#### Step 3: Customize the Generation Parameters

1. In the **Description** or **Prompt** field, enter additional context about what you want the message to say. Be specific about your agency type, the situation, and any key details to include. For example: "Remind the client of their upcoming traffic court hearing. Include the date, time, location, and a note about arriving 15 minutes early."
2. Select the **Message Channel** if available (text, email, or voice) to help the AI tailor the length and format.
3. Adjust the **AI Model** setting if your agency has access to multiple models. The default model works well for most use cases.
4. Configure the **Temperature** or **Creativity** slider if available. Lower values produce more predictable, formal output. Higher values generate more varied, conversational content.

#### Step 4: Generate the Content

1. Click the **Generate** button.
2. The AI processes your request and displays the generated content in the preview area.
3. Review the output carefully. Check for:
   - Accuracy of legal or procedural language
   - Appropriate tone for your agency's audience
   - Correct use of merge tags (the AI may suggest merge tags based on the use case)
   - Message length appropriate for the intended channel (SMS messages should be concise, emails can be longer)

#### Step 5: Edit and Refine the Output

1. If the generated content needs changes, edit the text directly in the preview area.
2. Add, remove, or modify merge tags as needed. For example, replace a generic placeholder with a specific tag like `[NextEventDateTime]` or `[LocationFullAddress]`.
3. Adjust the wording to match your agency's approved terminology. For instance, replace "defendant" with "client" if that is your agency's preference.
4. If the output is not what you expected, modify your description in the prompt field and click **Generate** again to produce a new draft.

#### Step 6: Save as a Message Template

1. Once you are satisfied with the content, click the **Save** or **Save as Template** button.
2. Enter a name for the new template.
3. The content is saved as an auto message template and appears in your **Auto Messages** tab.
4. Open the newly created template to configure triggers, scheduling, translations, and other settings.
5. Click **Save** to finalize the template.

### What to Expect

After generating and saving content, a new message template appears in your **Auto Messages** library. The template is set to **Manual** trigger by default, so no messages are sent until you configure a trigger or manually assign it to a record. You can add multilingual translations, attach files, set scheduling options, and preview the template just like any other message template. The AI-generated content serves as a first draft that your team refines and approves.

### Best Practices

- **Be specific in your prompt.** The more detail you provide (agency type, message purpose, key information to include), the better the output. Vague prompts produce generic results.
- **Always review AI-generated content before saving.** AI models can produce plausible but incorrect information. Verify legal terminology, procedural details, and compliance language against your agency's standards.
- **Use the generator for first drafts, not final copy.** Treat the output as a starting point. Your team should review, edit, and approve all content before it reaches clients.
- **Generate multiple variations.** If the first output does not meet your needs, adjust the prompt or parameters and generate again. Comparing two or three versions helps you pick the best approach.
- **Combine AI content with merge tags.** After generating a draft, add merge tags for personalization. The AI may suggest common tags, but verify they match the merge tags available in your eCourtDate instance.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Does the AI generator send messages to clients?**
A: No. The generator only creates draft content. You must save it as a template and then configure a trigger, assign it to a record, or use it in a bulk action before any message is sent.

**Q: Can I use the generator to create content in languages other than English?**
A: The generator primarily produces English content. After saving the generated template, use the **Auto Translate** button in the template editor to create translations in your agency's enabled languages. Review translations for accuracy before activating.

**Q: Is the AI-generated content stored or shared outside my agency?**
A: Generated content is saved only within your eCourtDate agency when you choose to save it as a template. Content that you do not save is not stored. The AI generation process uses secure API connections.

**Q: Can I control how formal or casual the generated content sounds?**
A: Yes. Adjust the **Temperature** or **Creativity** parameter. Lower values (closer to 0) produce more formal, predictable output. Higher values produce more varied language. You can also include tone instructions in your prompt, such as "Use a formal, professional tone appropriate for court communications."

**Q: What if the generated content includes incorrect legal information?**
A: AI models generate text based on patterns and may include inaccurate details. Always have qualified staff review generated content for legal accuracy before using it in official communications. The generator is a productivity tool, not a legal advisor.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** The generator produces content that is too generic or does not match your needs.
**Symptoms:** The output reads like a generic template with no agency-specific details.
**Solution:**

1. Add more detail to your prompt. Specify your agency type (municipal court, probation department, etc.), the specific scenario, and any required elements.
2. Select a more specific use case template from the dropdown if one is available.
3. Include example phrases or terminology you want the AI to use in the output.
4. Try lowering the temperature setting for more focused, predictable results.

**Issue:** The Generate button does not respond or returns an error.
**Symptoms:** Clicking **Generate** does nothing, or an error message appears.
**Solution:**

1. Check your internet connection. The AI generator requires a network connection to process requests.
2. Verify that your prompt is not empty. The generator requires at least a use case selection or description to produce output.
3. Refresh the page and try again.
4. If the issue persists, sign in to eCourtDate and create a ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

### Related Articles

- [How to Set Up Message Templates](/how-to-set-up-message-templates)
- [How to Create an Auto Message](/how-to-create-an-auto-message)
- [How to Generate Documents Automatically](/how-to-generate-documents-automatically)
- [How to Use Merge Tags](/how-to-use-merge-tags)