Canva, the popular digital design platform, has launched a new AI-powered toolset called Magic Studio to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Developed in collaboration with Runway AI, Magic Studio is designed to streamline visual content creation for Canva’s paid professional plan users.
The suite of generative AI tools introduced by Magic Studio includes Magic Switch, which transforms designs into various formats and languages; Magic Media, which uses Runway’s Gen-2 AI to convert text into photos or videos; and Magic Design, which automates video and presentation creation.
Generative AI refers to tools that allow users to create images, text, and video by providing prompts to an AI chatbot, which generates responses using a large language model. With the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November, AI developers like Runway AI have received significant investment from tech investors. Runway AI recently raised $141 million in funding, led by Google, Nvidia, and Salesforce.
Other major players in the generative AI field include Amazon, which is investing up to $4 billion in AI firm Anthropic, and Microsoft, which has invested over $10 billion in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
According to Runway CEO Cristobal Valenzuela, Canva’s new Magic Studio will provide Canva’s 150 million monthly users with direct access to Runway’s Gen-2 AI video generation model. This integration of AI technology aims to make design tasks easier and more efficient for Canva users.
Although Magic Studio is a new product, Canva has been exploring AI technology for several years. Danny Wu, Canva’s head of AI products, stated that the company has been using AI, or what was referred to as machine learning in the past, to develop features like the Kaleido technology background remover.
Canva faces competition from other generative AI platform developers such as Nvidia and Adobe. Adobe launched its generative AI tool, Firefly, in May, while OpenAI added a Canva plugin for its subscription-based ChatGPT Plus that enables users to create images using written prompts.
While Canva’s AI platform includes various models, Wu mentioned that the company takes a three-pronged approach, which involves developing proprietary models focused on the design space, integrating the best available models into one platform, and collaborating with developers and partners like Runway for video content.
As AI technology becomes more prevalent, concerns about the creation of deepfakes have also grown. Canva has implemented trust and safety policies to prevent the misuse of its AI platform. Wu mentioned that AI-generated images of popular or public figures, known persons, and third-party intellectual property are not allowed. Additionally, the AI tools in Magic Studio do not generate medically or politically related content.
In addition to Magic Studio, Canva has introduced the Canva Shield initiative, which offers trust, safety, and privacy tools powered by AI. This includes AI indemnification for eligible enterprise users, content moderation systems, and customizable AI privacy settings.
Canva is also committed to investing over $200 million in creators in the coming years. The company aims to leverage AI technology to empower its users and help them accomplish tasks that were previously challenging or impossible.
Getty Images, another major player in the creative industry, recently launched its own generative AI tool for commercial use. The tool draws from Getty Images’ extensive library of owned and licensed images and, like Canva, avoids including intellectual property or recognizable public figures to prevent the creation of deepfakes.
Overall, Canva’s Magic Studio represents the company’s dedication to harnessing AI technology to enhance the design process for its users. With its new AI-powered tools and advanced trust, safety, and privacy features, Canva aims to provide a more streamlined and secure experience for its growing user base.