Canvas AI Tools Overview
AI Functionality in Canvas
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Feature |
Summary |
Availability |
Free or Extra Cost |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Announced 07/23/2025 |
Embeds OpenAI’s technology directly within the Canvas learning environment. IgniteAI is a built‑in Canvas feature that uses smart AI to make common teaching tasks faster and easier. AI capabilities include support for automating content creation and remediation, streamlining grading and feedback, and building educator and learner AI skills with novel AI assignments. Automated remediation analyzes student performance data to suggest targeted remediation plans From Instructure’s press release: LLM-Enabled Assignment - …educators create a custom GPT-like experience within Canvas. Teachers can define how AI interacts with students, set specific learning goals and objectives and determine what evidence of learning it should track. Through this tool, when students submit their assignments, teachers gain a high-level view of overall progress, key learning indicators and potential gaps, each supported by clear evidence. They can then dive into specific indicators to see exactly where and how a student demonstrated the required understanding in the conversation. |
Available Now |
Extra cost |
UWM does not have this. |
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Semantic, vector‑based search across Canvas content |
Available Now |
Free |
Currently turned off at UWM and Universities of Wisconsin because our instance of Canvas already has the third-party search tool, Atomic Search, integrated with Canvas. |
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Generates concise overviews of discussion threads for instructors. Provides summaries of key points, questions, and ideas in a discussion thread. Available for instructors, not students. |
Available Now |
Free |
Available but off by default in Canvas courses at UWM. To enable for a course: go to Settings > Feature Options > Discussion Summary and click Enabled. |
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Google’s Gemini AI for lesson planning & ideation (LTI) |
Available Now |
Free* |
Not available at UWM because UWM does not have a Workspace for Education account. From Instructure: Any customer with a Workspace for Education account (even the free one) can use the Gemini app (chatbot at gemini.google.com) and Gemini LTI. They do not need to pay to use gemini.google.com or Gemini LTI. However, if customers want to get the power of Gemini within Workspace (i.e., Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.), they need to purchase Gemini Education. See here for the details of the add-on and what that unlocks for them. |
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AI-generated rubric creation based on assignment content and outcomes and AI‑assisted grading suggestions in SpeedGrader. |
Available Now |
Extra cost |
UWM does not have this. |
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Real‑time AI translations in Discussions & Inbox |
Delayed indefinitely |
Free |
UWM does not have this. When the Course AI Translation feature option is enabled, instructors and students can use AI-supported translations to translate text with Discussions and Announcements. Watch Instructure's Video on Inbox and Discussion Translation |
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Administrator |
Conversational analytics queries against Canvas data (admin only) |
Available Now |
Extra cost |
UWM does not have this. |
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Teacher‑Facing Intelligent Insights |
Instructors query engagement metrics & receive predictive alerts. The features of Intelligent Insights are:
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Planned Q4 2025 |
Extra cost |
UWM does not have this. |
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Expanded IgniteAI Workflows |
Scenario‑based AI assignments & advanced remediation options |
Planned Q4 2025 |
Extra cost |
UWM does not have this. |
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AI‑driven workforce training platform (skills‑first) Canvas Career was built specifically for non-credit, continuing education and workforce development programs where speed, relevance and measurable impact are critical. With Canvas Career, organizations are able to:
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Planned Q1 2026 |
Extra cost |
UWM does not have this. |