The Canvas Conference: New Features and AI Buzz
InstructureCon, Canvas’ annual conference, brought innovative features, new friendships, exciting partnerships, and yes, a fair share of AI chatter. The two biggest official announcements made were Instructure’s partnership with OpenAI and the launch of IgniteAI, both of which have sparked understandable curiosity here at the College and beyond.
To help clarify some of the announcements from InstructureCon, here’s a quick breakdown of the three major AI-related items:
IgniteAI is the new name for the underlying AI model and framework Instructure has introduced to power current and future AI-enhanced Canvas features. It’s not a tool you enable or disable, but a behind-the-scenes engine that will support functionality such as Discussion Summaries, Smart Search, and more to come.
IgniteAI Agent is an AI chatbot designed to provide real-time, contextual assistance within Canvas. This tool is still in development and will be offered as a premium, add-on service and not be included in standard Canvas licensing. When launched, it will allow users to ask questions or perform tasks using natural language prompts, similar to a support assistant.
The OpenAI Partnership refers to Instructure’s announcement that ChatGPT (via OpenAI’s large language model) will be one of the available LLMs institutions may choose to integrate with Canvas. However, access to this functionality would require a separate ChatGPT license managed by the institution. It will not be included by default and will remain opt-in only.
What This Means at FSCJ
IgniteAI powers the AI functionality of various features In Canvas. Features using IgniteAI will be identified by the stars and color scheme you see in this logo.
While these announcements generated a lot of buzz, it’s important to clarify what this actually means at FSCJ.
IgniteAI is already powering several AI-supported features currently available in Canvas, which are listed in the next section below.
At this time, we do not anticipate implementing the IgniteAI Agent in the near future. Beyond the additional cost, this tool is still under development and would require significantly more testing before we would feel confident introducing it into our environment, should it become of interest in the future.
Similarly, there is no plan to integrate any large language model (LLM), such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, into our Canvas environment. This is primarily because we do not currently hold an enterprise-level license with OpenAI or other LLM providers, which would be required to enable such integrations. While individual departments, employees, or piloting groups may have access to similar tools, use within Canvas would require a different level of support and investment, neither of which are currently in place or budgeted for.
While AI is already embedded in many tools we use daily, major changes like these integrations will be thoroughly evaluated through FSCJ’s governance processes before we decide if or how they will be implemented. These features are not yet widely available outside of beta testing, which means we still have limited information on how they will function within our LMS.
Currently Available AI Features in Canvas
There is a wide range of interest and exploration of AI and education, along with valid skepticism and concern. In an attempt to foster transparency and help define what AI is (and isn’t) currently doing in Canvas, I’ve compiled a list of existing features that already use AI in the LMS. We’ll continue to expand and share some form of this list as new technologies emerge (which is happening faster than I can keep up with some days).
Canvas: Discussion Summaries (Available now)
Canvas: Smart Search (Available now)
Studio: AI Assisted Captions (Available now, Early Access Program)
Canvas: Intelligent Insights (Limited release, permission-based)
You can learn more about these and upcoming features in the Canvas Guides , which now includes “Nutrition Facts” labels to promote transparency and support informed decision making.
How We Approach AI Decisions
To address the questions I’ve received since returning from Spokane (some just hours after the OpenAI announcement), I want to assure you that any discussions the Canvas administrative team has around integrations, feature releases, or changes that impact faculty and students, especially those involving AI, will be approached collaboratively and thoughtfully. As with any software integration in Canvas, new tools are reviewed based on security, accessibility, and alignment with college policies.
AI-related requests are no different in that regard, but they often require deeper questions and greater attention to faculty input and academic guidelines. This collaboration is essential, as faculty are closest to student engagement and are in the position to assess work that could be AI-generated. At the same time, we aim to remain responsive to the rapid innovation occurring in education and technology.
In a conversation I had with Instructure’s Chief Product Officer, Shiren Vijiasingam, he emphasized the importance of rolling out these tools thoughtfully. He shared how Instructure’s approach is to give institutions control to set permissions, provide flexibility for those who want to use AI features, and establish clear boundaries for those who prefer not to.
The FSCJ AI Conversation
In addition to early adopters and our Canvas administrative team, many groups across FSCJ are actively exploring AI, including the AI Advisory Council, A.I. in Action, Faculty Senate, and others. As part of those conversations, here are three key policies and statements we’re referencing as we review requests for software that utilize AI:
Administrative Procedure Manual (APM): Acceptable Use of AI Technologies
Explore the Global Conversation
Although Instructure has published a steady stream of articles highlighting the benefits of AI and its thoughtful implementation, it’s important to recognize that they are also a business, and their messaging reflects a broader, global strategy. While the momentum of change is real, and the potential is significant, we must weigh these developments against the realities of our own institutional environment, policies, and priorities.
One article worth reading is Instructure’s Generative AI Innovations Aligned with US Department of Education, UNESCO & Other Global Policy Guidelines. It highlights the global frameworks shaping their approach and shares examples of how other institutions are beginning to implement AI in education.
To join the broader conversation, check out the Artificial Intelligence in Education Group in the Canvas Community.
AI and Prototypes on the Canvas Roadmap
In addition to the main conference, I was also invited to participate in a Customer Discovery Session where a small group of Canvas administrators were asked to provide feedback and interest in three new Dashboard prototypes that use AI. It was great to be able to see what data is available to assist in filling needs that schools have voiced in the past and may make it to our Canvas instance if there is enough interest. One of the dashboards focused on the NA process and Financial Aid, another to assist with determining Regular and Substantive Interaction, and lastly (and the one I believe will have the most immediate use) will help identify content in Canvas courses that is inaccessible, allowing for easy communication and remediation.
One More Thing
Although this year’s conference sent me back with more questions and decisions than in past years, I want to add that I always gain so much from being there, especially hearing directly from (and providing feedback to) the Instructure executives who are building and promoting the changes announced each year.
And to be transparent, I used my own favorite LLM to help edit this blog post by refining the flow, adjust tone at times, and clarity of what I wanted to share. While I clearly see value in the thoughtful use of AI, I also recognize how many complex considerations come with it. These are not just technical or policy decisions, but meaningful ones that affect how we teach, how students learn, and how we support both.
