Rocky is an AI-powered Chat Tool
Developed by UC Davis for UC Davis. In Canvas, Rocky can provide students with 24/7, course-specific responses grounded in instructor-approved materials. By reinforcing course expectations and addressing routine questions, Rocky can support both students and instructors.
In winter and spring 2026, Rocky in UC Davis Canvas is offered in an early-stage pilot to a small, hands-on group of faculty members. Their participation and feedback will be essential in helping us refine Rocky in Canvas and ensure that the broader release meets faculty and student needs.
Faculty Control & Academic Integrity
Faculty control whether and how Rocky is used in their courses. Instructors decide which Canvas resources Rocky can access (e.g., Syllabus Tool, Announcements, Pages, Assignments, Files, etc.). Ongoing support will be provided throughout the pilot.
Opt-In Capability
Rocky in Canvas can be turned on or off on a course-by-course basis.
Fine-Grain Control
Within courses, faculty can limit Rocky's access to only certain content.
Pedagogical Integrity
By centering faculty control, Rocky remains a supplement to instruction that prioritizes the act of learning.
Benefits
For Instructors
- Innovation: Offers early access to emerging AI capabilities, enabling faculty with an appetite for exploration to incorporate new tools into their courses.
- Control: Retain full authority over if and how the AI is enabled for each specific course.
- Efficiency: Reduces repetitive workload by handling routine questions and course logistics.
For Students
- Support: 24/7 course specific support and clarification on readings, syllabi, and other course material.
- Literacy: Build AI skills in a safe, transparent, and policy-aligned environment.
- Engagement: Strengthens understanding by giving students an immediate, course aware resource to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Instructor View
Student View
Provide Feedback
Faculty
Share feedback, ask questions, and meet the other faculty in the pilot.
Students
Share feedback about your experience using Rocky in Canvas. Be sure to also communicate with your instructor.
Timeline
Winter 2026 - Early-Stage Pilot
- Deploy to a small, select group of early adopter faculty and their students to test core functionality and gather initial feedback.
Spring 2026 - Expanded Pilot
- Broaden access to additional faculty. Refine and expand features based on pilot data.
Fall 2026 - Full Rollout
- Launch campus-wide pending pilot outcomes. Rocky can be enabled for all UC Davis Canvas courses. Comprehensive support available for faculty and students.
About Rocky
Rocky is an AI chat designed specifically for the UC Davis community by UC Davis.
Developed as a collaboration between the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Information and Educational Technology (IET), Rocky knows UC Davis better than any other AI chats. It is specifically designed to answer questions about UC Davis - academics, university events, campus life, and more. Rocky is part of Aggie AI, the UC Davis ecosystem of AI tools and services.
Content on this website is subject to change as AI tools continue to develop.
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