How the Document Agent Works
The ChatPDF agent receives document content through two channels: pasted text or uploaded screenshots. For text input, the language model processes the content directly. For images, the vision component extracts text, identifies structural elements (headings, tables, lists), and makes that information available for querying. The agent builds an internal representation of the document content and responds to targeted questions grounded in what you provided. This differs from general AI chat because the agent constrains its responses to document content rather than drawing on general training knowledge. Document analysis accuracy depends on input quality. Complex formatting, cross-page references, and low-resolution screenshots can produce errors.
Document-Grounded Querying
The agent's value comes from grounded responses — answers tied to specific document content rather than general knowledge. Upload a vendor contract and ask "What are the termination conditions?" The agent locates and summarizes the relevant clauses from the document you provided. This grounding reduces hallucination risk because the agent draws from supplied content rather than generating from training patterns.
Multi-turn querying builds depth. Upload a research paper's abstract and conclusion. Ask for a plain-language summary. Then ask about the methodology. Then ask about limitations. Each question builds on accumulated context from the document and prior exchanges. AI Chat handles open-ended conversation; ChatPDF is optimized for document-centric workflows where responses must stay tied to specific content.
Research and Review Workflows
The document agent accelerates research review cycles. Upload a paper's abstract and conclusion to decide if the full text merits reading. Upload methodology sections and ask for plain-language explanations. Upload results tables and request interpretation. For literature reviews across many papers, this approach compresses hours of screening into focused Q&A sessions. The AI Writer agent pairs well — extract insights with ChatPDF, then draft your analysis with AI Writer.
Limitations and Safety
The document agent has real constraints. It cannot access content beyond what you provide — no cross-referencing with other documents or external databases. Complex formatting may be misinterpreted. Tables with merged cells or nested structures may require clarifying follow-up questions. Low-resolution screenshots produce OCR errors. For contracts, legal documents, and medical records, use the agent as a first-pass tool that prioritizes sections for careful human review — not as a substitute for professional analysis. AIACI does not store uploaded documents or session data.
