LearnWise AI

LearnWise is an AI platform integrated with Canvas that provides 24/7 support to U of A students and instructors. Students can use LearnWise for study support grounded directly in their Canvas course materials, with configurations designed to guide learning rather than complete assignments for them. Instructors can use LearnWise to assist with course materials, feedback, and other administrative tasks, while gaining visibility into the topics students ask about most – a feedback loop that general AI tools can’t provide. LearnWise is accessible in Canvas as part of a pilot running from September 2026 through May 2027. 

Meet LearnWise: Piloting Our New AI Assistant within Canvas

Running from Sept 2026 – May 2027, the U of A is piloting LearnWise AI to support students and instructors right inside Canvas. Join this information session to learn how it safely transforms Canvas course materials into active study and teaching support.

Register  Tuesday, Sept. 22 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |  Online

Three new features in Canvas: all powered by LearnWise

Virtual campus assistant: Answers questions about campus resources and services. It appears as a chat bubble in the lower-right corner of Canvas.

Virtual course assistant: Provides student study support grounded in Canvas course materials. Instructors can use the course assistant as well, to draft learning and study activities. Instructors can also use it to draft learning activities and review student questions to identify where additional support is needed. It appears as "LearnWise" in the left navigation menu of a course unless the instructor opts out (see below). 

Virtual feedback assistant (updated Sept 15): Supports instructors by drafting feedback on student work that has been submitted through Canvas. The feedback assistant is available by request to instructors who want to trial this feature. When enabled, it appears as a blue chat bubble in the lower-left corner of Canvas. To enable the feedback assistant, send a request to eclass@ualberta.ca

See LearnWise in action in this two-minute video. Note that the interface in the video looks a bit different than it will for the U of A.

Can I opt out of LearnWise?

An instructor can opt out of the virtual course assistant in any course that they teach. Although LearnWise is enabled by default, the instructor can remove it from the course navigation at any time through Course Settings → Navigation. The virtual campus assistant cannot be disabled.

How do I learn more and offer feedback about this pilot?

  • Further information about the LearnWise AI pilot project is available on the Projects + Initiatives page for the Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic.
  • Use this feedback form to record your thoughts about this pilot. Your feedback is anonymous by default, and plays an important role in pilot evaluation. 
  • If you need assistance with LearnWise, contact the support team at ctllms@ualberta.ca