Google has now made Canvas in AI Mode available to every user across the United States in English. This follows the feature's initial introduction as a Google Labs experiment last year. Canvas in AI Mode is built to assist with organizing and planning projects or conducting more in-depth research. According to a company announcement, the feature now includes the capability to draft documents or build custom tools directly within Google Search.

Previously, Google recommended using Canvas for activities like creating a study guide by uploading class notes and other materials. It can also handle a variety of other jobs, such as converting a research report into a webpage, quiz, or audio summary. This functionality shares some common ground with Google's existing research application, Notebook LM.

Users can describe a concept to Canvas and see it generate the necessary code to turn that idea into a shareable application or game. The tool is also useful for polishing creative writing drafts and obtaining feedback on projects. Canvas is already accessible within Gemini, where subscribers to Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra tiers can use the latest Gemini 3 model. These subscribers also benefit from a larger 1 million-token context window, which supports more complex work.

With Canvas now integrated into Google's AI search feature, known as AI Mode, it will reach a much broader audience in the U.S., including many who have not yet explored Gemini's capabilities. This widespread availability through Google Search is a significant strategic advantage, allowing Google to present its AI products directly to billions of users.

To start using Canvas, users simply choose the new Canvas option from the tool menu (marked with a +) while in AI Mode and describe what they wish to create. This action opens a side panel where information can be gathered from the web and Google's Knowledge Graph. When building a prototype or app, users can test its functions, switch to view the underlying code, and refine the app's behavior by chatting with Gemini.

Canvas enters a competitive space with similar offerings from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. A key difference is that ChatGPT's canvas feature activates automatically based on the user's query, whereas Google's Canvas and Anthropic's Claude require more direct user initiation. Both platforms, however, provide assistance with writing tasks and help transform ideas into tangible projects.