IgniteAI in Canvas is a set of built-in AI tools designed to help you and your ākonga work more efficiently and understand course content more easily. It supports everyday tasks while keeping you in control.
The tools listed below are the IgniteAI features currently enabled in our Canvas. Other features exist, but this article focuses only on the tools we are using now.
These tools reduce repetitive tasks, make search simpler, help bridge language barriers, and summarise long discussions. They support understanding, improve access, and save time, while you make all final decisions.
Important to Note: IgniteAI does not store ākonga data outside of Canvas. It works with content already in your course to generate summaries, translations, and search results, while keeping information secure.
What Features IgniteAI Tools Are Available?
IgniteAI Search
IgniteAI Search lets you find content in a course using natural language. Instead of relying on exact words, you can type a question or phrase like “where are the group project instructions?” and the AI will return relevant course Pages, Announcements, Discussion prompts, and Assignment descriptions.
Search results show a short text preview and link to the item. Ākonga only see results for content they already have access to. This tool makes it faster to find content without browsing through modules.
Simple Search vs IgniteAI Search:
IgniteAI Search
- Provides more accurate results
- Understands context
Simple Search
- Requires exact wording
- Matches keywords only
IgniteAI Translations
IgniteAI Translations helps make course communication clearer across languages. It is available in Discussions and Announcements. Users can choose a language from the supported list and translate the text on screen. The translated text appears below the original, and both can be shown together.
Supported languages currently include:
- Catalan
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Dutch
- English
- French
- German
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Russian
- Spanish
- Swedish
IgniteAI Open Summary for Discussions
Open Summary for Discussions uses AI to create a short overview of key points, questions, and ideas from a discussion thread. Kaiako and approved users can open the summary tool from a discussion topic and generate a summary that highlights the main themes.
After reading the summary, kaiako can quickly see what ideas stood out or what topics may need follow-up. They can also rate the summary to help improve results over time.