diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/conversations/conversation_settings/conversation_settings_editor.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/conversations/conversation_settings/conversation_settings_editor.tsx
index ba18594836792..abcaaef48c5f3 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/conversations/conversation_settings/conversation_settings_editor.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/conversations/conversation_settings/conversation_settings_editor.tsx
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ import { HttpSetup } from '@kbn/core-http-browser';
 import { FormattedMessage } from '@kbn/i18n-react';
 import { OpenAiProviderType } from '@kbn/stack-connectors-plugin/public/common';
 import { noop } from 'lodash/fp';
-import { PromptResponse } from '@kbn/elastic-assistant-common';
-import { Conversation } from '../../../..';
+import type { PromptResponse } from '@kbn/elastic-assistant-common';
+import { Conversation, useAssistantContext } from '../../../..';
 import * as i18n from './translations';
 import * as i18nModel from '../../../connectorland/models/model_selector/translations';
 
@@ -52,8 +52,10 @@ export const ConversationSettingsEditor: React.FC<ConversationSettingsEditorProp
     setConversationSettings,
     setConversationsSettingsBulkActions,
   }) => {
+    const { settings } = useAssistantContext();
     const { data: connectors, isSuccess: areConnectorsFetched } = useLoadConnectors({
       http,
+      settings,
     });
     const selectedSystemPrompt = useMemo(() => {
       return getDefaultSystemPrompt({ allSystemPrompts, conversation: selectedConversation });
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/helpers.test.ts b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/helpers.test.ts
index 26609dea82164..e03081f4aefb7 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/helpers.test.ts
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/helpers.test.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ import {
   getOptionalRequestParams,
   mergeBaseWithPersistedConversations,
 } from './helpers';
-import { AIConnector } from '../connectorland/connector_selector';
+import type { AIConnector } from '../connectorland/connector_selector';
+import type { SettingsStart } from '@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser';
+import { GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR } from '@kbn/management-settings-ids';
 
 describe('helpers', () => {
   describe('getDefaultConnector', () => {
@@ -29,41 +31,97 @@ describe('helpers', () => {
         apiUrl: 'https://api.openai.com/v1/chat/completions',
       },
     };
+
+    const connector2: AIConnector = {
+      ...defaultConnector,
+      id: 'c7f91dc0-2197-11ee-aded-897192c5d633',
+      name: 'OpenAI',
+      config: {
+        apiProvider: 'OpenAI 2',
+        apiUrl: 'https://api.openai.com/v1/chat/completions',
+      },
+    };
+
+    const clientGet = jest.fn();
+
+    const settings = {
+      client: {
+        get: clientGet,
+      },
+    } as unknown as SettingsStart;
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      jest.clearAllMocks();
+      clientGet.mockImplementation((key: string) => {
+        return undefined;
+      });
+    });
+
     it('should return undefined if connectors array is undefined', () => {
       const connectors = undefined;
-      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors);
+      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings);
 
       expect(result).toBeUndefined();
     });
 
     it('should return undefined if connectors array is empty', () => {
       const connectors: AIConnector[] = [];
-      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors);
+      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings);
 
       expect(result).toBeUndefined();
     });
 
-    it('should return the connector id if there is only one connector', () => {
+    it('should return the first connector if there is only one connector available', () => {
       const connectors: AIConnector[] = [defaultConnector];
-      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors);
+      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings);
 
       expect(result).toBe(connectors[0]);
     });
 
-    it('should return the connector id if there are multiple connectors', () => {
-      const connectors: AIConnector[] = [
-        defaultConnector,
-        {
-          ...defaultConnector,
-          id: 'c7f91dc0-2197-11ee-aded-897192c5d633',
-          name: 'OpenAI',
-          config: {
-            apiProvider: 'OpenAI 2',
-            apiUrl: 'https://api.openai.com/v1/chat/completions',
-          },
-        },
-      ];
-      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors);
+    it('should return the default connector if there are multiple connectors and default connector is defined', () => {
+      clientGet.mockImplementation((key: string) => {
+        if (key === GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR) {
+          return defaultConnector.id;
+        }
+        return undefined;
+      });
+      const connectors: AIConnector[] = [defaultConnector, connector2];
+      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings);
+      expect(result).toBe(defaultConnector);
+    });
+
+    it('should return the default connector if there are multiple connectors and default connector is defined but they are in a different order', () => {
+      clientGet.mockImplementation((key: string) => {
+        if (key === GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR) {
+          return defaultConnector.id;
+        }
+        return undefined;
+      });
+      const connectors: AIConnector[] = [connector2, defaultConnector];
+      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings);
+      expect(result).toBe(defaultConnector);
+    });
+
+    it('should return the first connector if there are multiple connectors and no default connector is defined', () => {
+      clientGet.mockImplementation(() => {
+        return undefined;
+      });
+
+      const connectors: AIConnector[] = [connector2, defaultConnector];
+      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings);
+      expect(result).toBe(connectors[0]);
+    });
+
+    it('should return the first connector if there are multiple connectors and a default connector is defined but it does not exist', () => {
+      clientGet.mockImplementation((key: string) => {
+        if (key === GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR) {
+          return 'randomConnectorIdThatDoesNotExist';
+        }
+        return undefined;
+      });
+
+      const connectors: AIConnector[] = [connector2, defaultConnector];
+      const result = getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings);
       expect(result).toBe(connectors[0]);
     });
   });
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/helpers.ts b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/helpers.ts
index 7c4aa0482c052..6e29addf4d1e9 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/helpers.ts
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/helpers.ts
@@ -6,10 +6,12 @@
  */
 
 import { isEmpty, some } from 'lodash';
-import { AIConnector } from '../connectorland/connector_selector';
-import { FetchConnectorExecuteResponse, FetchConversationsResponse } from './api';
-import { Conversation } from '../..';
+import type { SettingsStart } from '@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser';
+import { GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR } from '@kbn/management-settings-ids';
+import type { AIConnector } from '../connectorland/connector_selector';
+import type { FetchConnectorExecuteResponse, FetchConversationsResponse } from './api';
 import type { ClientMessage } from '../assistant_context/types';
+import { Conversation } from '../..';
 
 export const getMessageFromRawResponse = (
   rawResponse: FetchConnectorExecuteResponse
@@ -59,13 +61,30 @@ export const mergeBaseWithPersistedConversations = (
  * @param connectors
  */
 export const getDefaultConnector = (
-  connectors: AIConnector[] | undefined
+  connectors: AIConnector[] | undefined,
+  settings: SettingsStart
 ): AIConnector | undefined => {
+  const defaultAiConnectorId = settings.client.get<string>(
+    GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR,
+    undefined
+  );
+
   const validConnectors = connectors?.filter((connector) => !connector.isMissingSecrets);
+  const defaultConnector = validConnectors?.find(
+    (connector) => connector.id === defaultAiConnectorId
+  );
+
+  if (defaultConnector) {
+    // If the user has set a default connector setting, and that connector exists, use it
+    return defaultConnector;
+  }
+
   if (validConnectors?.length) {
+    // In case the default connector is not set or is invalid, return the first valid connector
     return validConnectors[0];
   }
 
+  // If no valid connectors are available, return undefined
   return undefined;
 };
 
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/index.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/index.tsx
index 76c4aa8cbb226..be95deba8a8be 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/index.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/index.tsx
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ const AssistantComponent: React.FC<Props> = ({
     showAnonymizedValues,
     setContentReferencesVisible,
     setShowAnonymizedValues,
+    settings,
   } = useAssistantContext();
 
   const [selectedPromptContexts, setSelectedPromptContexts] = useState<
@@ -131,8 +132,12 @@ const AssistantComponent: React.FC<Props> = ({
   // Connector details
   const { data: connectors, isFetchedAfterMount: isFetchedConnectors } = useLoadConnectors({
     http,
+    settings,
   });
-  const defaultConnector = useMemo(() => getDefaultConnector(connectors), [connectors]);
+  const defaultConnector = useMemo(
+    () => getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings),
+    [connectors, settings]
+  );
   const {
     currentConversation,
     currentSystemPrompt,
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings.test.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings.test.tsx
index 1837d40aae2b1..05d9045b76dd2 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings.test.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings.test.tsx
@@ -37,11 +37,27 @@ const setSelectedSettingsTab = jest.fn();
 const mockContext = {
   basePromptContexts: MOCK_QUICK_PROMPTS,
   setSelectedSettingsTab,
-  http: {},
+  http: {
+    get: jest.fn(),
+  },
   selectedSettingsTab: 'CONVERSATIONS_TAB',
   assistantAvailability: {
     isAssistantEnabled: true,
   },
+  settings: {
+    client: {
+      get: jest.fn((key) => {
+        if (key === 'genAiSettings:defaultAIConnector') {
+          return 'c5f91dc0-2197-11ee-aded-897192c5d6f5';
+        }
+        if (key === 'genAiSettings:defaultAIConnectorDefaultOnly') {
+          return false;
+        }
+        return undefined;
+      }),
+    },
+  },
+  assistantFeatures: { assistantModelEvaluation: true },
 };
 const onClose = jest.fn();
 const onSave = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(() => {});
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings.tsx
index 04c5818118728..baf8c559b44ba 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings.tsx
@@ -75,7 +75,8 @@ export const AssistantSettings: React.FC<Props> = React.memo(
     conversations,
     conversationsLoaded,
   }) => {
-    const { http, toasts, selectedSettingsTab, setSelectedSettingsTab } = useAssistantContext();
+    const { http, toasts, selectedSettingsTab, setSelectedSettingsTab, settings } =
+      useAssistantContext();
 
     useEffect(() => {
       if (selectedSettingsTab == null) {
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ export const AssistantSettings: React.FC<Props> = React.memo(
 
     const { data: connectors } = useLoadConnectors({
       http,
+      settings,
     });
 
     const {
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings_management.test.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings_management.test.tsx
index ee75732165423..9ad874693fbf2 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings_management.test.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings_management.test.tsx
@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ import {
 import { mockSystemPrompts } from '../../mock/system_prompt';
 import { DataViewsContract } from '@kbn/data-views-plugin/public';
 import { SettingsStart } from '@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser';
+import {
+  GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR,
+  GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR_DEFAULT_ONLY,
+} from '@kbn/management-settings-ids';
 
 const mockConversations = {
   [alertConvo.title]: alertConvo,
@@ -50,6 +54,20 @@ const mockContext = {
   assistantAvailability: {
     isAssistantEnabled: true,
   },
+  settings: {
+    client: {
+      get: jest.fn((key) => {
+        if (key === GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR) {
+          return 'c5f91dc0-2197-11ee-aded-897192c5d6f5';
+        }
+        if (key === GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR_DEFAULT_ONLY) {
+          return false;
+        }
+        return undefined;
+      }),
+    },
+  },
+  navigateToApp: jest.fn(),
 };
 
 const mockDataViews = {
@@ -62,7 +80,11 @@ const testProps = {
   dataViews: mockDataViews,
   onTabChange,
   currentTab: CONNECTORS_TAB,
-  settings: {} as SettingsStart,
+  settings: {
+    client: {
+      get: jest.fn(),
+    },
+  } as unknown as SettingsStart,
 };
 jest.mock('../../assistant_context');
 
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings_management.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings_management.tsx
index bc4245df88387..e8ef89eac7fa9 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings_management.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/assistant_settings_management.tsx
@@ -60,8 +60,12 @@ export const AssistantSettingsManagement: React.FC<Props> = React.memo(
     } = useAssistantContext();
     const { data: connectors } = useLoadConnectors({
       http,
+      settings,
     });
-    const defaultConnector = useMemo(() => getDefaultConnector(connectors), [connectors]);
+    const defaultConnector = useMemo(
+      () => getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings),
+      [connectors, settings]
+    );
 
     const { euiTheme } = useEuiTheme();
     const headerIconShadow = useEuiShadow('s');
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/evaluation_settings/evaluation_settings.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/evaluation_settings/evaluation_settings.tsx
index 5e15dfcd4c8c4..2789a4c055512 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/evaluation_settings/evaluation_settings.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/settings/evaluation_settings/evaluation_settings.tsx
@@ -49,8 +49,9 @@ const AS_PLAIN_TEXT: EuiComboBoxSingleSelectionShape = { asPlainText: true };
  * Evaluation Settings -- development-only feature for evaluating models
  */
 export const EvaluationSettings: React.FC = React.memo(() => {
-  const { actionTypeRegistry, http, setTraceOptions, toasts, traceOptions } = useAssistantContext();
-  const { data: connectors } = useLoadConnectors({ http, inferenceEnabled: true });
+  const { actionTypeRegistry, http, setTraceOptions, toasts, traceOptions, settings } =
+    useAssistantContext();
+  const { data: connectors } = useLoadConnectors({ http, inferenceEnabled: true, settings });
   const { mutate: performEvaluation, isLoading: isPerformingEvaluation } = usePerformEvaluation({
     http,
     toasts,
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/use_assistant_overlay/index.test.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/use_assistant_overlay/index.test.tsx
index 7a142710d19ec..0f4096494af4c 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/use_assistant_overlay/index.test.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/use_assistant_overlay/index.test.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,11 @@ const mockUseAssistantContext = {
   registerPromptContext: jest.fn(),
   showAssistantOverlay: jest.fn(),
   unRegisterPromptContext: jest.fn(),
+  settings: {
+    client: {
+      get: jest.fn(),
+    },
+  },
 };
 jest.mock('../../assistant_context', () => {
   const original = jest.requireActual('../../assistant_context');
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/use_assistant_overlay/index.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/use_assistant_overlay/index.tsx
index ec93829ac6727..88ff000199daa 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/use_assistant_overlay/index.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant/use_assistant_overlay/index.tsx
@@ -82,13 +82,17 @@ export const useAssistantOverlay = (
    */
   replacements?: Replacements | null
 ): UseAssistantOverlay => {
-  const { http, inferenceEnabled } = useAssistantContext();
+  const { http, inferenceEnabled, settings } = useAssistantContext();
   const { data: connectors } = useLoadConnectors({
     http,
     inferenceEnabled,
+    settings,
   });
 
-  const defaultConnector = useMemo(() => getDefaultConnector(connectors), [connectors]);
+  const defaultConnector = useMemo(
+    () => getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings),
+    [connectors, settings]
+  );
   const apiConfig = useMemo(() => getGenAiConfig(defaultConnector), [defaultConnector]);
 
   const { createConversation } = useConversation();
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant_context/index.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant_context/index.tsx
index 22838f307c491..d351660ba4cf9 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant_context/index.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/assistant_context/index.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import { AssistantFeatures, defaultAssistantFeatures } from '@kbn/elastic-assist
 import { ApplicationStart, ChromeStart, UserProfileService } from '@kbn/core/public';
 import type { ProductDocBasePluginStart } from '@kbn/product-doc-base-plugin/public';
 import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import type { SettingsStart } from '@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser';
 import { updatePromptContexts } from './helpers';
 import type {
   PromptContext,
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ export interface AssistantProviderProps {
   nameSpace?: string;
   navigateToApp: ApplicationStart['navigateToApp'];
   title?: string;
+  settings: SettingsStart;
   toasts?: IToasts;
   currentAppId: string;
   productDocBase: ProductDocBasePluginStart;
@@ -124,6 +126,7 @@ export interface UseAssistantContext {
   selectedSettingsTab: SettingsTabs | null;
   contentReferencesVisible: boolean;
   showAnonymizedValues: boolean;
+  settings: SettingsStart;
   setShowAnonymizedValues: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<boolean>>;
   setContentReferencesVisible: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<boolean>>;
   setAssistantStreamingEnabled: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<boolean | undefined>>;
@@ -156,6 +159,7 @@ export const AssistantProvider: React.FC<AssistantProviderProps> = ({
   alertsIndexPattern,
   assistantAvailability,
   assistantTelemetry,
+  settings,
   augmentMessageCodeBlocks,
   docLinks,
   basePath,
@@ -318,6 +322,7 @@ export const AssistantProvider: React.FC<AssistantProviderProps> = ({
       getComments,
       getUrlForApp,
       http,
+      settings,
       inferenceEnabled,
       knowledgeBase: {
         ...DEFAULT_KNOWLEDGE_BASE_SETTINGS,
@@ -331,6 +336,7 @@ export const AssistantProvider: React.FC<AssistantProviderProps> = ({
       selectedSettingsTab,
       // can be undefined from localStorage, if not defined, default to true
       assistantStreamingEnabled: localStorageStreaming ?? true,
+
       setAssistantStreamingEnabled: setLocalStorageStreaming,
       setKnowledgeBase: setLocalStorageKnowledgeBase,
       contentReferencesVisible: contentReferencesVisible ?? true,
@@ -368,6 +374,7 @@ export const AssistantProvider: React.FC<AssistantProviderProps> = ({
       basePromptContexts,
       currentUserAvatar,
       docLinks,
+      settings,
       getComments,
       getUrlForApp,
       http,
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/connector_selector/index.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/connector_selector/index.tsx
index a0fd1e070d724..26a0bff4db2ef 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/connector_selector/index.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/connector_selector/index.tsx
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import { OpenAiProviderType } from '@kbn/stack-connectors-plugin/common/openai/c
 import { euiThemeVars } from '@kbn/ui-theme';
 import { some } from 'lodash';
 import type { AttackDiscoveryStats } from '@kbn/elastic-assistant-common';
+import { GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR } from '@kbn/management-settings-ids';
 import { AttackDiscoveryStatusIndicator } from './attack_discovery_status_indicator';
 import { useLoadConnectors } from '../use_load_connectors';
 import * as i18n from '../translations';
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ export const ConnectorSelector: React.FC<Props> = React.memo(
     setIsOpen,
     stats = null,
   }) => {
-    const { actionTypeRegistry, http, assistantAvailability, inferenceEnabled } =
+    const { actionTypeRegistry, http, assistantAvailability, inferenceEnabled, settings } =
       useAssistantContext();
     // Connector Modal State
     const [isConnectorModalVisible, setIsConnectorModalVisible] = useState<boolean>(false);
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ export const ConnectorSelector: React.FC<Props> = React.memo(
     const { data: aiConnectors, refetch: refetchConnectors } = useLoadConnectors({
       http,
       inferenceEnabled,
+      settings,
     });
 
     const localIsDisabled = isDisabled || !assistantAvailability.hasConnectorsReadPrivilege;
@@ -185,6 +187,11 @@ export const ConnectorSelector: React.FC<Props> = React.memo(
       [cleanupAndCloseModal, onConnectorSelectionChange, refetchConnectors]
     );
 
+    const defaultAIConnectorId = settings.client.get<string | undefined>(
+      GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR,
+      undefined
+    );
+
     return (
       <>
         {!connectorExists && !connectorOptions.length ? (
@@ -208,7 +215,7 @@ export const ConnectorSelector: React.FC<Props> = React.memo(
             isOpen={modalForceOpen}
             onChange={onChange}
             options={allConnectorOptions}
-            valueOfSelected={selectedConnectorId}
+            valueOfSelected={selectedConnectorId ?? defaultAIConnectorId}
             placeholder={i18n.INLINE_CONNECTOR_PLACEHOLDER}
             popoverProps={{ panelMinWidth: 400, anchorPosition: 'downRight' }}
           />
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/connector_setup/index.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/connector_setup/index.tsx
index bde72752cc903..2e09b872fe8d4 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/connector_setup/index.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/connector_setup/index.tsx
@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ export const ConnectorSetup = ({
   );
   const { setApiConfig } = useConversation();
   // Access all conversations so we can add connector to all on initial setup
-  const { actionTypeRegistry, http, inferenceEnabled } = useAssistantContext();
+  const { actionTypeRegistry, http, inferenceEnabled, settings } = useAssistantContext();
 
-  const { refetch: refetchConnectors } = useLoadConnectors({ http, inferenceEnabled });
+  const { refetch: refetchConnectors } = useLoadConnectors({ http, inferenceEnabled, settings });
 
   const { data: actionTypes } = useLoadActionTypes({ http });
 
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/use_load_connectors/index.test.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/use_load_connectors/index.test.tsx
index e1c7fa93116c5..3dc937aeaa6fa 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/use_load_connectors/index.test.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/use_load_connectors/index.test.tsx
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ import { waitFor, renderHook } from '@testing-library/react';
 import { useLoadConnectors, Props } from '.';
 import { mockConnectors } from '../../mock/connectors';
 import { TestProviders } from '../../mock/test_providers/test_providers';
+import {
+  GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR,
+  GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR_DEFAULT_ONLY,
+} from '@kbn/management-settings-ids';
 
 const mockConnectorsAndExtras = [
   ...mockConnectors,
@@ -52,7 +56,19 @@ const http = {
 const toasts = {
   addError: jest.fn(),
 };
-const defaultProps = { http, toasts } as unknown as Props;
+const settings = {
+  client: {
+    get: jest.fn().mockImplementation((settingKey) => {
+      if (settingKey === GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR) {
+        return undefined;
+      }
+      if (settingKey === GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR_DEFAULT_ONLY) {
+        return false;
+      }
+    }),
+  },
+};
+const defaultProps = { http, toasts, settings } as unknown as Props;
 
 describe('useLoadConnectors', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/use_load_connectors/index.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/use_load_connectors/index.tsx
index 078a5c483d3e4..f0d19a4fd9b08 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/use_load_connectors/index.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/connectorland/use_load_connectors/index.tsx
@@ -9,11 +9,15 @@ import type { UseQueryResult } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import type { ServerError } from '@kbn/cases-plugin/public/types';
 import { loadAllActions as loadConnectors } from '@kbn/triggers-actions-ui-plugin/public/common/constants';
-import type { IHttpFetchError } from '@kbn/core-http-browser';
-import { HttpSetup } from '@kbn/core-http-browser';
-import { IToasts } from '@kbn/core-notifications-browser';
-import { OpenAiProviderType } from '@kbn/stack-connectors-plugin/common/openai/constants';
-import { AIConnector } from '../connector_selector';
+import type { IHttpFetchError, HttpSetup } from '@kbn/core-http-browser';
+import type { IToasts } from '@kbn/core-notifications-browser';
+import type { OpenAiProviderType } from '@kbn/stack-connectors-plugin/common/openai/constants';
+import type { SettingsStart } from '@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser';
+import {
+  GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR,
+  GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR_DEFAULT_ONLY,
+} from '@kbn/management-settings-ids';
+import type { AIConnector } from '../connector_selector';
 import * as i18n from '../translations';
 
 /**
@@ -26,6 +30,7 @@ export interface Props {
   http: HttpSetup;
   toasts?: IToasts;
   inferenceEnabled?: boolean;
+  settings: SettingsStart;
 }
 
 const actionTypes = ['.bedrock', '.gen-ai', '.gemini'];
@@ -34,6 +39,7 @@ export const useLoadConnectors = ({
   http,
   toasts,
   inferenceEnabled = false,
+  settings,
 }: Props): UseQueryResult<AIConnector[], IHttpFetchError> => {
   useEffect(() => {
     if (inferenceEnabled && !actionTypes.includes('.inference')) {
@@ -41,13 +47,20 @@ export const useLoadConnectors = ({
     }
   }, [inferenceEnabled]);
 
+  const defaultAiConnectorId = settings.client.get<string>(GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR);
+  const defaultAiConnectorOnly = settings.client.get<boolean>(
+    GEN_AI_SETTINGS_DEFAULT_AI_CONNECTOR_DEFAULT_ONLY,
+    false
+  );
+
   return useQuery(
     QUERY_KEY,
     async () => {
       const connectors = await loadConnectors({ http });
-      return connectors.reduce((acc: AIConnector[], connector) => {
+
+      const allAiConnectors = connectors.flatMap((connector) => {
         if (!connector.isMissingSecrets && actionTypes.includes(connector.actionTypeId)) {
-          acc.push({
+          const aiConnector: AIConnector = {
             ...connector,
             apiProvider:
               !connector.isPreconfigured &&
@@ -55,10 +68,23 @@ export const useLoadConnectors = ({
               connector?.config?.apiProvider
                 ? (connector?.config?.apiProvider as OpenAiProviderType)
                 : undefined,
-          });
+          };
+          return [aiConnector];
         }
-        return acc;
-      }, []);
+        return [];
+      });
+
+      const availableConnectors = allAiConnectors.filter((connector) => {
+        if (defaultAiConnectorOnly) {
+          return connector.id === defaultAiConnectorId;
+        }
+        return true;
+      });
+
+      if (availableConnectors.length === 0) {
+        return allAiConnectors;
+      }
+      return availableConnectors;
     },
     {
       retry: false,
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/mock/test_providers/test_providers.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/mock/test_providers/test_providers.tsx
index 9fbd3677d034d..4a716d1a166ba 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/mock/test_providers/test_providers.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/mock/test_providers/test_providers.tsx
@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@ import { UserProfileService } from '@kbn/core/public';
 import { chromeServiceMock } from '@kbn/core-chrome-browser-mocks';
 import { of } from 'rxjs';
 import { docLinksServiceMock } from '@kbn/core/public/mocks';
-import { AssistantProvider, AssistantProviderProps } from '../../assistant_context';
-import { AssistantAvailability } from '../../assistant_context/types';
+import type { SettingsStart } from '@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser';
+import type { AssistantProviderProps } from '../../assistant_context';
+import { AssistantProvider } from '../../assistant_context';
+import type { AssistantAvailability } from '../../assistant_context/types';
 
 interface Props {
   assistantAvailability?: AssistantAvailability;
@@ -86,6 +88,13 @@ export const TestProvidersComponent: React.FC<Props> = ({
             http={mockHttp}
             baseConversations={{}}
             navigateToApp={mockNavigateToApp}
+            settings={
+              {
+                client: {
+                  get: jest.fn(),
+                },
+              } as unknown as SettingsStart
+            }
             {...providerContext}
             currentAppId={'test'}
             productDocBase={{
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/tour/elastic_llm/index.tsx b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/tour/elastic_llm/index.tsx
index bdf42647e7b68..b40bc9ce41864 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/tour/elastic_llm/index.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/packages/shared/kbn-elastic-assistant/impl/tour/elastic_llm/index.tsx
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ const ElasticLLMCostAwarenessTourComponent: React.FC<Props> = ({
   zIndex,
   wrapper = true, // Whether to wrap the children in a div with padding
 }) => {
-  const { http, inferenceEnabled } = useAssistantContext();
+  const { http, inferenceEnabled, settings } = useAssistantContext();
   const { euiTheme } = useEuiTheme();
   const tourStorageKey = useTourStorageKey(storageKey);
   const [tourState, setTourState] = useLocalStorage<EISUsageCostTourState>(
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ const ElasticLLMCostAwarenessTourComponent: React.FC<Props> = ({
   const { data: aiConnectors } = useLoadConnectors({
     http,
     inferenceEnabled,
+    settings,
   });
   const isElasticLLMConnectorSelected = useMemo(
     () =>
diff --git a/x-pack/platform/plugins/shared/integration_assistant/public/components/create_integration/create_integration_assistant/steps/connector_step/connector_step.tsx b/x-pack/platform/plugins/shared/integration_assistant/public/components/create_integration/create_integration_assistant/steps/connector_step/connector_step.tsx
index 3c87e0aab7b36..e2abfe39cbad8 100644
--- a/x-pack/platform/plugins/shared/integration_assistant/public/components/create_integration/create_integration_assistant/steps/connector_step/connector_step.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/platform/plugins/shared/integration_assistant/public/components/create_integration/create_integration_assistant/steps/connector_step/connector_step.tsx
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ interface ConnectorStepProps {
 
 export const ConnectorStep = React.memo<ConnectorStepProps>(({ connector }) => {
   const { euiTheme } = useEuiTheme();
-  const { http, notifications, triggersActionsUi } = useKibana().services;
+  const { http, notifications, triggersActionsUi, settings } = useKibana().services;
   const { setConnector, completeStep } = useActions();
 
   const [connectors, setConnectors] = useState<AIConnector[]>();
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ export const ConnectorStep = React.memo<ConnectorStepProps>(({ connector }) => {
     isLoading,
     data: aiConnectors,
     refetch: refetchConnectors,
-  } = useLoadConnectors({ http, toasts: notifications.toasts, inferenceEnabled });
+  } = useLoadConnectors({ http, toasts: notifications.toasts, inferenceEnabled, settings });
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (aiConnectors != null) {
diff --git a/x-pack/solutions/security/packages/ecs-data-quality-dashboard/impl/data_quality_panel/mock/test_providers/test_providers.tsx b/x-pack/solutions/security/packages/ecs-data-quality-dashboard/impl/data_quality_panel/mock/test_providers/test_providers.tsx
index c40f40288d0b6..077683dc3cd0b 100644
--- a/x-pack/solutions/security/packages/ecs-data-quality-dashboard/impl/data_quality_panel/mock/test_providers/test_providers.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/solutions/security/packages/ecs-data-quality-dashboard/impl/data_quality_panel/mock/test_providers/test_providers.tsx
@@ -20,7 +20,9 @@ import { I18nProvider } from '@kbn/i18n-react';
 import { KibanaRenderContextProvider } from '@kbn/react-kibana-context-render';
 import { EuiThemeProvider } from '@elastic/eui';
 
-import { DataQualityProvider, DataQualityProviderProps } from '../../data_quality_context';
+import { SettingsStart } from '@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser';
+import type { DataQualityProviderProps } from '../../data_quality_context';
+import { DataQualityProvider } from '../../data_quality_context';
 import { ResultsRollupContext } from '../../contexts/results_rollup_context';
 import { IndicesCheckContext } from '../../contexts/indices_check_context';
 import { UseIndicesCheckReturnValue } from '../../hooks/use_indices_check/types';
@@ -89,6 +91,13 @@ const TestExternalProvidersComponent: React.FC<TestExternalProvidersProps> = ({
               productDocBase={{
                 installation: { getStatus: jest.fn(), install: jest.fn(), uninstall: jest.fn() },
               }}
+              settings={
+                {
+                  client: {
+                    get: jest.fn(),
+                  },
+                } as unknown as SettingsStart
+              }
               currentAppId={'securitySolutionUI'}
               userProfileService={jest.fn() as unknown as UserProfileService}
               getUrlForApp={jest.fn()}
diff --git a/x-pack/solutions/security/packages/ecs-data-quality-dashboard/tsconfig.json b/x-pack/solutions/security/packages/ecs-data-quality-dashboard/tsconfig.json
index 8334bc4449955..c85c07f8e33d3 100644
--- a/x-pack/solutions/security/packages/ecs-data-quality-dashboard/tsconfig.json
+++ b/x-pack/solutions/security/packages/ecs-data-quality-dashboard/tsconfig.json
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
     "@kbn/core-notifications-browser-mocks",
     "@kbn/core-chrome-browser-mocks",
     "@kbn/ai-assistant-icon",
-    "@kbn/react-kibana-context-render"
+    "@kbn/react-kibana-context-render",
+    "@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser",
   ]
 }
diff --git a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/assistant/provider.tsx b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/assistant/provider.tsx
index bd56466db5bdc..b58a7bfdca869 100644
--- a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/assistant/provider.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/assistant/provider.tsx
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ export const AssistantProvider: FC<PropsWithChildren<unknown>> = ({ children })
     docLinks,
     userProfile,
     chrome,
+    settings,
     productDocBase,
   } = useKibana().services;
 
@@ -243,6 +244,7 @@ export const AssistantProvider: FC<PropsWithChildren<unknown>> = ({ children })
       currentAppId={currentAppId ?? 'securitySolutionUI'}
       userProfileService={userProfile}
       chrome={chrome}
+      settings={settings}
     >
       {children}
     </ElasticAssistantProvider>
diff --git a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/attack_discovery/pages/index.tsx b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/attack_discovery/pages/index.tsx
index d9fa0b8ae607c..886903896a316 100644
--- a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/attack_discovery/pages/index.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/attack_discovery/pages/index.tsx
@@ -49,12 +49,13 @@ export const ID = 'attackDiscoveryQuery';
 
 const AttackDiscoveryPageComponent: React.FC = () => {
   const {
-    services: { uiSettings },
+    services: { uiSettings, settings },
   } = useKibana();
 
   const { http } = useAssistantContext();
   const { data: aiConnectors } = useLoadConnectors({
     http,
+    settings,
   });
 
   // for showing / hiding anonymized data:
diff --git a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/attack_discovery/pages/use_attack_discovery/index.tsx b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/attack_discovery/pages/use_attack_discovery/index.tsx
index 9cc7b7c475c09..5472ea1e3e954 100644
--- a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/attack_discovery/pages/use_attack_discovery/index.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/attack_discovery/pages/use_attack_discovery/index.tsx
@@ -59,9 +59,12 @@ export const useAttackDiscovery = ({
   const {
     http,
     notifications: { toasts },
+    settings,
   } = useKibana().services;
+
   const { data: aiConnectors } = useLoadConnectors({
     http,
+    settings,
   });
 
   // generation can take a long time, so we calculate an approximate future time:
diff --git a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/common/mock/mock_assistant_provider.tsx b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/common/mock/mock_assistant_provider.tsx
index 42f785e64d7e9..1413594e4df5f 100644
--- a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/common/mock/mock_assistant_provider.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/common/mock/mock_assistant_provider.tsx
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import type { UserProfileService } from '@kbn/core/public';
 import { chromeServiceMock } from '@kbn/core-chrome-browser-mocks';
 import { of } from 'rxjs';
 import { docLinksServiceMock } from '@kbn/core/public/mocks';
+import type { SettingsStart } from '@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser';
 import { BASE_SECURITY_CONVERSATIONS } from '../../assistant/content/conversations';
 
 interface Props {
@@ -65,6 +66,13 @@ export const MockAssistantProviderComponent: React.FC<Props> = ({
       }}
       userProfileService={mockUserProfileService}
       chrome={chrome}
+      settings={
+        {
+          client: {
+            get: jest.fn(),
+          },
+        } as unknown as SettingsStart
+      }
     >
       {children}
     </AssistantProvider>
diff --git a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/management/pages/endpoint_hosts/view/details/components/insights/workflow_insights_scan.tsx b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/management/pages/endpoint_hosts/view/details/components/insights/workflow_insights_scan.tsx
index 95beeb5699cd0..7387d794a9af9 100644
--- a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/management/pages/endpoint_hosts/view/details/components/insights/workflow_insights_scan.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/management/pages/endpoint_hosts/view/details/components/insights/workflow_insights_scan.tsx
@@ -40,9 +40,10 @@ export const WorkflowInsightsScanSection = ({
   const CONNECTOR_ID_LOCAL_STORAGE_KEY = 'connectorId';
 
   const spaceId = useSpaceId() ?? 'default';
-  const { http } = useKibana().services;
+  const { http, settings } = useKibana().services;
   const { data: aiConnectors } = useLoadConnectors({
     http,
+    settings,
   });
   const { canWriteWorkflowInsights } = useUserPrivileges().endpointPrivileges;
 
diff --git a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/onboarding/components/onboarding_body/cards/assistant/assistant_card.tsx b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/onboarding/components/onboarding_body/cards/assistant/assistant_card.tsx
index 5b13f9b58b540..e8ba115b7e810 100644
--- a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/onboarding/components/onboarding_body/cards/assistant/assistant_card.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/public/onboarding/components/onboarding_body/cards/assistant/assistant_card.tsx
@@ -59,16 +59,21 @@ export const AssistantCard: OnboardingCardComponent<AssistantCardMetadata> = ({
 
   const [selectedConnectorId, setSelectedConnectorId] = useStoredAssistantConnectorId(spaceId);
 
-  const defaultConnector = useMemo(() => getDefaultConnector(connectors), [connectors]);
-
-  const { setApiConfig } = useConversation();
-
   const {
     http,
     assistantAvailability: { isAssistantEnabled },
     baseConversations,
     getLastConversationId,
+    settings,
   } = useAssistantContext();
+
+  const defaultConnector = useMemo(
+    () => getDefaultConnector(connectors, settings),
+    [connectors, settings]
+  );
+
+  const { setApiConfig } = useConversation();
+
   const {
     allSystemPrompts,
     conversations,
diff --git a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/tsconfig.json b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/tsconfig.json
index 0cc9998fbc14e..3191bec1e33f9 100644
--- a/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/tsconfig.json
+++ b/x-pack/solutions/security/plugins/security_solution/tsconfig.json
@@ -242,5 +242,6 @@
     "@kbn/inference-endpoint-ui-common",
     "@kbn/core-metrics-server",
     "@kbn/ai-assistant-default-llm-setting",
+    "@kbn/core-ui-settings-browser",
   ]
 }