*Stop wrestling with dropdown menus. IBKR Desktop's AI Screener lets you describe what you want in plain language and returns a ranked list in seconds. Here's exactly how to use it — with real query examples that actually work.*
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Traditional stock screeners are built for people who already know what they're looking for. You need to know the exact name of every metric, navigate nested menus, set numeric ranges for fields you may not fully understand, and hope the combination produces something useful.
Interactive Brokers just changed that.
The AI Configured Screener in IBKR Desktop lets you type what you're looking for in plain English — "semiconductor stocks with revenue growth above 20% and P/E under 30" — and the system builds the screen for you. No dropdowns. No parameter guessing. Just describe what you want.
I run a systematic USDJPY momentum strategy through IB's API, so I'm inside IBKR Desktop daily. When the AI Screener appeared in the sidebar, I tested it with real queries from my workflow. Some results were impressive. Others revealed clear limitations you should know about before relying on it.
This guide covers the full setup, practical query examples, what works, what doesn't, and how to combine AI screening with IB's existing MultiSort screener for a workflow that's genuinely better than either tool alone.
What Is the IBKR AI Screener?
The AI Configured Screener is a feature inside IBKR Desktop (not TWS) that uses a large language model to translate natural language prompts into stock screener configurations. You type a description of what you want to find, and the AI:
1. Parses your intent — figures out which asset class, region, and exchange you mean
2. Selects the right screener type — chooses between a standard filter screener or a MultiSort ranked screener based on your query complexity 3. Applies filter criteria — maps your plain language to IB's fundamental, technical, and market data fields 4. Returns results — displays a sortable table of matching stocksThe key difference from traditional screeners: you don't need to know that "return on equity" is listed under Fundamentals > Profitability > ROE. You just say "high ROE" and the AI figures it out.
How to Access the AI Screener (Step by Step)
The AI Screener is only available in IBKR Desktop — IB's newer trading platform. It's not in TWS (Trader Workstation) or the web portal.
If you're not sure which platform you're using, check our IBKR Desktop vs TWS comparison for a full breakdown.
Step 1: Open the Screener
Click the Screener icon on the left sidebar of IBKR Desktop. It looks like a funnel icon.
Step 2: Launch the AI Configuration
You have two ways to access it:
- Option A: Click the purple "Configure Screener with AI" box that appears prominently on the screener page
- Option B: Go to My Screeners in the upper left corner → click the + (plus) icon → select "Configure New Screener with AI"
Step 3: Type Your Query
A dialogue box appears on the right side of the screen. Type your search criteria in plain English. For example:
> "Large cap tech stocks with dividend yield above 2% and revenue growth above 10%"
Step 4: Watch the AI Process
The screener shows three real-time progress indicators:
1. Understanding Request — the AI parses your natural language
2. Applying Region/Product/Exchange — it determines the market scope 3. Applying Filter Criteria — it maps your description to actual data fieldsStep 5: Review and Refine
Once processing completes, you'll see a list of matching stocks. If the results aren't quite right:
- Click "Modify Prompt" to adjust your criteria
- Add or remove conditions
- Click "Regenerate Screener" to re-run
7 Real Query Examples (Copy These)
Here are practical prompts I've tested, ranging from simple to complex. Each one produced useful results.
1. Basic Fundamental Screen
> "Pharmaceutical stocks with net profit margin greater than 10% and EPS growth greater than 15%"
What it does: Finds profitable pharma companies with strong earnings momentum. The AI correctly identifies the sector, applies both margin and growth filters. Tip: If the result set is too large, modify the prompt to tighten EPS growth: "update EPS growth to 20% minimum."2. Momentum + Growth Combination
> "Sort midcap stocks with high 50-day moving averages, high year-over-year revenue growth, and high year-over-year earnings growth"
What it does: The AI detects the "sort" keyword and automatically creates a MultiSort screener — ranking stocks by a blended score of all three factors instead of just filtering. Key insight: When you use words like "sort," "rank," or "best," the AI switches to MultiSort mode, which weights and ranks rather than just applying binary filters.3. Narrowing Down Results
After running the momentum screen above (which returned 1,200+ results):
> "Include only revenue growth 20%-50% and earnings growth 15%-40%"
Result: Narrows to about 17 stocks — a much more manageable research list.4. Value Investing Screen
> "US stocks with P/E ratio under 15, dividend yield above 3%, and market cap above 10 billion"
What it does: Classic value screen. The AI correctly separates fundamental (P/E, dividend yield) from size (market cap) criteria.5. News-Driven Thematic Screen
> "Defense stocks showing P/E less than 60, operating margin greater than 10, and net profit margin greater than 15"
What it does: Combines sector identification with profitability filters. This is the type of screen you'd want to run after a geopolitical event drives defense sector interest.6. Technical + Fundamental Hybrid
> "Large cap tech stocks showing 3-month moves and dividend increases over the past 3 years"
What it does: The AI creates a MultiSort screener blending price momentum (3-month price change) with dividend growth history. This hybrid approach would require significant manual configuration in a traditional screener.7. Income-Focused Screen
> "REITs with dividend yield above 5%, payout ratio below 80%, and market cap above 2 billion"
What it does: Targets sustainable high-yield REITs. The AI correctly identifies REITs as a sub-sector and applies the payout ratio filter to screen out dividend traps.What the AI Screener Gets Right
After running dozens of queries, here's where the tool genuinely impresses:
It Chooses the Right Screener Type Automatically
When I type "find stocks with P/E under 20," it creates a standard filter screener. When I type "rank stocks by revenue growth and profit margin," it switches to MultiSort. This intelligence saves significant setup time.
Plain Language Actually Works
Prompts like "cheap tech stocks with growing dividends" correctly translate to low P/E technology sector stocks with positive year-over-year dividend growth. You don't need to speak in database query language.
Iterative Refinement Is Smooth
The modify-and-regenerate flow feels natural. You can tighten criteria, add new filters, or completely change direction without starting over. It's closer to having a conversation than filling out a form.
Real-Time Processing Transparency
The three-step progress indicator (Understanding → Region → Criteria) builds confidence that the AI is interpreting your request correctly. If something looks wrong, you can stop and rephrase before waiting for full results.
What the AI Screener Gets Wrong (Limitations to Know)
No tool is perfect, and understanding the limitations will save you frustration.
It Can't Screen for Custom Indicators
The AI maps to IB's existing data fields. If you want to screen for a custom momentum score or a proprietary factor, the AI can't create that. You'll need IB's traditional screener or the API for custom calculations.
Forex and Futures Are Not Supported
The AI Screener works for equities (stocks, ETFs, REITs). If you're looking for forex pairs or futures contracts — like the USDJPY positions I trade through IB's API — you'll need TWS scanners or the API market scanner.
For setting up the API for automated trading, see our IB Python API tutorial.
Vague Prompts Produce Vague Results
"Show me good stocks" returns an enormous, unhelpful list. The more specific your criteria, the better the results. Include at least one quantitative filter (a number) in every prompt.
It Sometimes Misinterprets Sector Names
Niche sectors can confuse the AI. "Clean energy stocks" works fine, but "picks and shovels AI plays" (meaning companies that supply AI infrastructure rather than build AI models) may not translate correctly. When in doubt, name the sector explicitly.
No Backtesting Integration
The screener finds stocks matching current criteria. It doesn't tell you how a screen would have performed historically. For backtesting screens, you'll need third-party tools or IB's PortfolioAnalyst.
AI Screener vs. MultiSort vs. Traditional Screener: When to Use Each
IBKR Desktop now has three screening approaches. Here's when each one wins:
| Feature | AI Screener | MultiSort Screener | Traditional Screener |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Quick idea exploration | Ranked scoring with weighted factors | Precise numeric filters |
| Input method | Plain English | Select factors + assign weights | Dropdown menus + ranges |
| Learning curve | None | Medium | High |
| Custom factors | No | Yes (up to 10 factors) | Yes (full filter library) |
| Output | Filtered list or ranked list | Blended rank score | Pass/fail filter list |
| Iteration speed | Fast (modify prompt) | Medium (adjust weights) | Slow (reconfigure filters) |
1. Start with the AI Screener to quickly explore a thesis ("defensive stocks with growing dividends")
2. Switch to MultiSort if you want to fine-tune the ranking weights (maybe P/E matters more than dividend yield for your strategy) 3. Use Traditional Screener only when you need exact numeric boundaries that the AI isn't applying correctlyFor a deep dive on MultiSort specifically, see our IBKR Desktop MultiSort Screener guide.
Combining AI Screener with Your Trading Workflow
The AI Screener works best as the discovery phase of a multi-step process. Here's how I integrate it:
Step 1: AI Screen for Ideas
Run a broad AI query based on a market thesis. Example: after strong jobs data, screen for "cyclical stocks with revenue acceleration and low debt."
Step 2: Export to Watchlist
Right-click results and add interesting names to a watchlist. IBKR Desktop syncs watchlists across devices.
Step 3: Deep Dive with Charts
Switch to the chart view for each candidate. Apply your preferred technical analysis — moving averages, volume profile, support/resistance levels.
If you're a TradingView user, you can cross-reference the AI Screener results with your TV charts and alerts.
Step 4: Execute or Set Alerts
For names that pass both fundamental (screener) and technical (chart) analysis, either place an order directly or set a price alert for your entry level.
Step 5: Track with PortfolioAnalyst
After entering positions, use IB's PortfolioAnalyst to track performance against your benchmark. This closes the loop from discovery to execution to performance measurement.
Tips for Writing Better AI Screener Prompts
After testing extensively, these patterns consistently produce the best results:
1. Include at least one number. "High growth stocks" is vague. "Stocks with revenue growth above 20%" gives the AI a clear target.
2. Name the sector explicitly. "Tech stocks" works better than "companies that make software."
3. Specify the size range. "Large cap," "mid cap," or "market cap above X billion" helps the AI scope results appropriately.
4. Use "sort" or "rank" when you want MultiSort. This triggers the ranking mode instead of binary filtering.
5. Iterate, don't restart. Use "Modify Prompt" to refine. Each iteration preserves context from the previous query.
6. Keep it under 3-4 criteria initially. Start broad and narrow down. Starting with 8 criteria often confuses the AI or returns zero results.
Is the AI Screener Worth Using? Honest Assessment
For a systematic trader like me who primarily uses IB's API for automated forex execution, the AI Screener isn't my primary tool. My strategy runs on predefined signals, not discretionary stock picks.
But for equity investors — whether you're screening for value stocks, growth momentum, dividend income, or thematic plays — the AI Screener is a genuine time-saver. What used to take 10 minutes of menu navigation now takes 30 seconds of typing.
The real power is in iterative exploration. Traditional screeners punish experimentation because every change requires menu-diving. The AI Screener rewards it — you can quickly test "what if I lower the P/E threshold?" or "what about adding a dividend growth filter?" in seconds.
It's not a replacement for due diligence. The screener finds candidates; your research determines which are actually worth buying. But as a first step in the discovery process, it's the best stock screener UX I've used in any brokerage platform.
FAQ
Is the AI Screener available on TWS?
No. The AI Configured Screener is exclusive to IBKR Desktop, IB's newer trading platform. TWS has its own market scanners but without AI natural language input.
Does the AI Screener cost extra?
No. It's included free with any Interactive Brokers account. You don't need a specific subscription tier or data package to use it.
Can I save AI-generated screens?
Yes. Once the AI generates a screen, it appears in your "My Screeners" list. You can re-run it anytime or modify the prompt for future use.
Does it work for ETFs?
Yes. The AI Screener works for stocks, ETFs, and REITs. Specify "ETFs" in your prompt if you want to exclude individual stocks: "high dividend yield ETFs with expense ratio under 0.5%."
Can I screen international markets?
Yes. By default it searches US markets, but you can specify: "Japanese stocks with..." or "European large cap stocks with..." The AI adjusts the exchange and region filters accordingly.
How does this compare to ChatGPT or other AI tools for stock screening?
ChatGPT and similar tools can suggest stock screening ideas, but they don't have access to real-time market data. IB's AI Screener queries live fundamental and technical data across IB's entire universe of instruments. It returns actual current results, not suggestions based on training data.
Get Started
The AI Screener is available now in IBKR Desktop for all account holders — including paper trading accounts. If you want to test it risk-free, open a paper account first and experiment with the prompts above.
If you don't have an IB account yet, you can sign up through our referral link — you'll get up to $1,000 in IBKR stock, and it directly supports this site.
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