Canvas, the AI planning tool from Google Search, has rolled out across the US, the company said Wednesday. Canvas is essentially a project planning tool with a range of uses, including trip planning. You can select the tool directly from the AI Mode screen at the top of the Google Search results page.
The tool is integrated into AI Mode and can be used on both desktop and mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. However, because Canvas opens a second screen beside the main chat window, it's a little trickier to see on a smartphone. You'll have to toggle between the screens.
Going anywhere? Maybe college?
Planning trips is one of Canvas's main functions, with the ability to view and account for flights, hotels and other relevant information in real time.
"Canvas makes it easy to build travel plans customized for your specific needs -- bringing together real-time Search data for flights and hotels, details from Google Maps like photos and reviews, and relevant information from sites across the web," a Google spokesperson told CNET.
Google also notes you can use Canvas as an academic scholarship tracker, which includes dollar amounts and deadlines.
"The launch of Canvas in AI Mode marks a continuing shift in Google's strategy, moving Google Search from a discovery engine to a full-fledged productivity workspace," says Dave McCarthy, research vice president at IDC's Worldwide Infrastructure Research.
Project planning with AI
Once you're in the AI Mode screen on Google, you can select the Canvas option from the plus sign that appears on the left side of the box where you type.
Clicking the Canvas button opens the project in a side panel. From there, you can refine the project with the standard chat prompts. You can even look at the underlying code and adjust the Canvas window's user interface, such as switching to dark mode.
"Projects in Canvas are auto-saved to a user's AI Mode history. While convenient for multi-session work, users should be mindful of the data they include in these workspaces, as they are part of their broader Search and AI activity," IDC's McCarthy says.
Rose Yao, vice president of product for Google Search, posted a thread on X on Wednesday, sharing a video of a summer camp project for her kids. Canvas created an interactive dashboard that sorts camp options by cost, distance and focus.
"We're adding support for coding & creative writing tasks, so you can bring even more ideas to life with custom dashboards or interactive tools," Yao wrote in the post.
Google first announced Canvas for AI Mode in July 2025, and later that year, expanded Canvas's travel features.
There's no word yet from Google on when Canvas will expand into other languages and other countries.