OpenAI has introduced a new Canvas tool to ChatGPT, designed to allow users to edit AI-generated text and code without needing to create new queries. This feature makes it easier to modify content, add comments, or translate text directly within the workspace, offering a more intuitive user experience with ChatGPT.
Following the Trend of AI Workspaces
OpenAI’s decision aligns with the broader trend seen across other AI platforms. Anthropic, for instance, released the Artifacts tool with similar editing features in June, while Anysphere’s Cursor AI assistant, an alternative to Visual Studio Code, has gained considerable popularity among developers. These innovations reflect a growing need for more interactive and customizable AI workspaces.
Currently, chatbots still face challenges in completing large-scale projects in a single query, often requiring multiple interactions and repeated code queries. With the Canvas workspace, users can correct errors in the AI’s output without having to regenerate all the content. “This is a more natural interface for collaborating with ChatGPT,” noted Daniel Levine, OpenAI’s product manager.
New Features for Text and Code Editing
In a demonstration of the new interface, Levine selected the “GPT-4o with Canvas” model from the ChatGPT drop-down list. Moving forward, the Canvas window will open automatically when the system detects the need for a separate workspace, such as when creating long-form content or complex code. Alternatively, users can simply type “use canvas” to initiate the workspace.
Beyond code, ChatGPT can also assist with tasks like writing emails. Users can request an email draft, which will appear in the Canvas window. From there, they can adjust the text length with a slider or highlight individual sections for ChatGPT to revise, such as making the tone more friendly or adding emojis. There’s also an option to translate the email into another language.
For coding tasks, the functionality within Canvas differs slightly from the standard ChatGPT interface, notes NIX Solutions. Users can highlight code segments and ask follow-up questions. A new “Check Code” button allows ChatGPT to analyze the highlighted code and provide specific suggestions, whether the code was generated by AI or written by a human. Since October 3, Canvas has been available in beta for ChatGPT Plus and Teams users, with plans to launch it for Enterprise and Edu users next week. We’ll keep you updated on further developments.