The Synology AI Console is a management tool integrated into Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, designed to bring artificial intelligence capabilities to Synology NAS (Network-Attached Storage) users. It allows administrators to integrate third-party AI services, such as large language models (LLMs) from providers like OpenAI, Microsoft Azure AI, or Google, into compatible Synology applications. The primary focus is on enhancing productivity and workflow efficiency through text-based AI functionalities, such as text generation, summarization, and analysis.
Introduced as a beta feature with DSM 7.2 in April 2025, the AI Console initially supports integration with Synology MailPlus, enabling features like email drafting, summarization, translation, and tone adjustment. It is designed to expand to other Synology apps, such as the Synology Office suite, in the future. The tool emphasizes user control and data privacy: it is disabled by default, requires users to provide their own API keys for AI services, and offers granular permissions to dictate which apps can access AI features. Additionally, it includes options to de-identify sensitive data (e.g., masking credit card numbers) before sending it to external AI providers, though this feature requires a NAS with at least 8 GB of RAM.
Unlike Synology’s existing AI features—such as facial recognition in Synology Photos or object detection in Surveillance Station—the AI Console focuses on language-based AI rather than image or video processing. It does not run local AI models on the NAS itself but acts as a bridge to external services, with costs managed directly through the third-party providers. The console also provides detailed logging of AI-related activities for transparency and administrative oversight. This positions it as a versatile platform for both personal and business users looking to leverage AI within the Synology ecosystem.