Google expands Canvas in AI Mode to all US users with document drafting and coding features

Google's Gemini rolls out Canvas in AI mode to all US users | TechCrunch

Google has expanded access to Canvas in AI Mode to all users in the U.S. in English, after first launching the feature as part of its Google Labs experiments last year. Canvas in AI Mode is designed to help users organize and plan projects or delve into deeper research. The feature now supports the ability to draft documents or create custom tools within Google Search, the company said in a blog post. Google previously suggested using Canvas for tasks like building a study guide by uploading class notes and other sources; the feature can also complete other tasks such as turning a research report into a web page, quiz, or audio overview, which has some overlap with Google's research tool Notebook LM. Users can describe an idea to Canvas and watch as it generates the code to transform that idea into a shareable app or game. The feature can also be used to help refine creative writing drafts and get feedback on projects. Canvas is already available in Gemini, where Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers have access to the latest model, Gemini 3, and a larger 1 million-token context window for more complex projects. More people will be exposed to Canvas now that it's available to all users in the U.S. through Google's AI search feature known as AI Mode, including those who haven't yet dabbled with Gemini's capabilities. That's one of Google's advantages in the AI race -- the reach of Google Search gives it the power to place its products in front of billions of users. To use Canvas, users select the new Canvas option from the tool menu (+) while in AI Mode, then describe what they want to create. This opens up a Canvas side panel where users can pull together information from the web and Google's Knowledge Graph. If building a prototype or app, users can test the functionality, toggle to see the underlying code, and refine how the app works by chatting with Gemini. Canvas competes with similar tools from rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic. However, ChatGPT's Canvas feature is triggered automatically based on the query, while Google and Anthropic's Claude require more direct interaction. Both also allow users to get help with writing or turn ideas into projects.

Google's AI-powered workspace is now available to more users in Search

Google is bringing Canvas to everyone in the US using AI Mode in Search. The feature opens up a dedicated workspace within its AI-powered search tool, allowing it to use the latest information from Search to organize plans, develop tools, and draft documents in a panel alongside your chat. Though Google initially launched Canvas inside its Gemini app as a way to create documents and code in real-time, it later tested the feature in AI Mode -- but only for visualizing travel plans. Now, you can use Canvas in AI Mode for tasks related to creative writing and coding, too, giving you the ability to view an AI-generated dashboard laying out information related to your prompt, or an interactive prototype of a tool you're developing. You can try out the feature by navigating to AI Mode in Search, selecting the "plus" button inside the chat window, and then choosing Canvas. From there, you can describe what you want to create, and Google will display the results in a panel on the right side of your screen. This feature is currently only available in English.

Now's your chance to try Google's Canvas in AI Mode, with document drafting and tool creation

Canvas can generate working prototypes from prompts, which you can refine or edit through a code view. Ever since ChatGPT and the other chatbots arrived on the scene, Google has been keeping up by steadily evolving its AI-powered search experience beyond simple answers. The latest update gives it another new trick -- Canvas in AI Mode can now generate documents and even simple interactive tools directly from a prompt inside Search. According to a post on the Google Blog, the company says Canvas in AI Mode is now available to all US users in English. The feature was previously limited to a Search Labs experiment, but it's now rolling out more broadly along with its enhanced capabilities. Google first introduced the workspace in Gemini before bringing it to AI Mode in Search last year, where it was mainly used to refine results for things like studying or planning trips. With the latest update, Canvas can now handle creative writing tasks and coding projects, letting you draft documents or generate custom tools right within the AI-powered search interface. To use it, you select the Canvas option from the tool menu (the + icon) in AI Mode and describe what you want to create. Google then generates a working prototype in a side panel that pulls information from the web and Google's Knowledge Graph. From there, you can test the functionality, refine the results with follow-up prompts, or switch to a code view to see and edit the underlying code. One example Google highlighted from early testers involved building a dashboard to track academic scholarships. The blog entry has a GIF showing that example being built, and it all underlines how little you need to stray from a quick search to vibe-coding a basic app in 2026.

Google Search's AI Mode just built me an app

Canvas is now available to all U.S. users, enabling easy modification of generated prototypes through prompts or direct code editing. You've probably heard of vibe coding, seen ads for it on the Super Bowl, or read about AI coding environments like Claude Code or Codex. But if you want to try vibe coding for yourself, right here and right now, just head to Google Search. Are you there? OK, now click the AI Mode button, click the "+" in the search box, and select Canvas. Now, ask Google to make something for you-an app, a website, anything. I started with this: "can you give me a working prototype of a commerce web site for t-shirts?" The next thing I knew, Gemini's gears were turning, its thought process visible in the left column of the page, while another element-the Canvas-spring into view on the right, with lines of code rapidly scrolling down the page. Suddenly, the code inside the canvas disappeared, replaced by something new: a T-shirt commerce website, just like I asked for. Of course, the T-shirt site that Google Search and its Gemini-powered AI Mode produced isn't an actual live website-or at least, not yet. But it could be the beginning of one, and you could easily copy the code into an AI coding tool like Claude Code, OpenAI's Codex, or Google Antigravity. Next, I tried something a little more ambitious: "make me a dashboard that shows the location of subway trains in the area." Again, Gemini's AI Mode spun to life, with Google finding ways to integrate live New York MTA subway data to the app I'd requested. The Canvas panel opened anew, and a few seconds later, boom: There was my app, with a glowing green "live" indicator and readouts of subway lines. A few things weren't quite right-I wanted the app to focus on the Carroll Gardens station, not just the generic area-but all I had to do was ask for the fix ("make the app focus on the Carroll Gardens shop"), and Gemini made it so. First launched last year as a Google Labs experiment, Canvas in AI Mode is now available to all U.S. users (English only for now), and it performs other cool tricks besides building instant prototypes for websites and apps. It can also draft creative writing samples, create dashboards that incorporate live Google Search results, and more. Just use your imagination. You can interact with your Canvas project using the preview mode or click a toggle to see-and if you like, copy-the underlying code. If you want changes or revisions, just type in a prompt. Canvas in AI Mode may look familiar to Gemini app users, who can also quickly create projects and prototypes with its own Canvas tool. It also reminds me of Lovable, a third-party "no-code" tool that specializes in instant website prototypes. But Canvas in AI Mode works best as a way to anyone to try vibe coding themselves, instantly. Go give it a try.

All Users Get Access to New Canvas in AI Mode

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. Right inside of Google Search, all users within the US can now access Canvas in AI Mode, with no Labs opt-in required. Canvas is a dedicated space to organize plans and projects, such as trips or research. While availability has been widened, Google also introduced new features, such as support for creative writing and coding tasks. Google provides a pretty wonderful example of how to utilize Canvas, tasking it with creating, "a dashboard to visualize and track information on academic scholarships, including all the different requirements, deadlines and dollar amounts." To start using Canvas in AI Mode, select the new Canvas option from the tool menu in AI Mode and simply describe what you want to create. Users will get a first draft on the Canvas side panel, which you can then refine through follow-ups until you like what you have.