Canvas, the learning management system (LMS), itself cannot directly detect if a student is using ChatGPT or other AI tools. However, there are related aspects and tools to consider:
Plagiarism Detection Tools: Platforms like Canvas often integrate with plagiarism detection services such as Turnitin or Unicheck. These tools can flag text that matches existing sources, including content found online or in academic papers. If a response generated by ChatGPT closely resembles known sources or if it appears too generic, it might raise suspicion.
AI Detection Software: While Canvas itself doesn’t have built-in AI detection, some schools or institutions may use separate AI detection software (e.g., Turnitin’s AI writing detection, GPTZero) to identify content that may have been generated by AI. These tools analyze patterns in text, such as complexity, coherence, and phrasing, to estimate if AI assistance was used.
Instructor Judgment: Educators may spot signs of AI-generated content through familiarity with students’ writing styles or noticing unusually well-structured or off-topic answers. They might also use specific prompts or tests to compare with known AI capabilities.
Summary: While Canvas cannot detect ChatGPT use by itself, associated tools or careful review by instructors can indicate if AI assistance has likely been involved in an assignment.