Key Points
- Adobe launches AI assistants for Express and Photoshop.
- Express assistant uses a text‑prompt mode that can be toggled on and off.
- Photoshop assistant, in closed beta, lives in a sidebar and handles layers, object selection, and masks.
- Assistants can perform repetitive edits like background removal and color changes.
- Project Moonlight aims to coordinate multiple assistants and link to creators’ social channels.
- Adobe is testing integration of Express with ChatGPT via OpenAI’s API.
- Photoshop now supports third‑party generative models for generative fill.
- Premiere Pro receives an AI‑powered object mask for video editing.
An illustrative image showing prototypes of Adobe’s new project of cross-app assistant is a system that gets data from all of its apps.
AI Assistants for Express and Photoshop
Adobe today released new AI assistants for its Creative Cloud products Express and Photoshop. The Express assistant introduces a distinct mode that accepts text prompts, allowing users to create new images and designs without leaving the app’s primary interface. Users can toggle the assistant mode on to generate content and then switch back to traditional editing tools and controls available in the current version of Express.
In Photoshop, the assistant is in a closed‑beta phase and appears in a sidebar. Adobe says the assistant can recognize different layers, automatically select objects, and generate masks. It also lets users ask for repetitive tasks such as removing backgrounds or changing colors.
Strategic Design Choices
Adobe’s VP of generative AI, Alexandru Costin, explained to TechCrunch that the separate mode for Express targets students and professionals who need a streamlined workflow. He noted that the ability to switch between a prompt‑driven mode and the classic editing interface provides “the best of both worlds,” making the technology both accessible and controllable.
Project Moonlight and ChatGPT Integration
The company is also experimenting with a new assistant dubbed “Project Moonlight.” This early‑stage, private‑beta project seeks to coordinate multiple assistants across Adobe tools and connect to a creator’s social channels to better understand individual style. Additionally, Adobe is exploring a connection between Adobe Express and ChatGPT using OpenAI’s app integrations API, which would let users create designs directly within ChatGPT.
Expanded AI Features Across Creative Cloud
Beyond the assistants, Adobe announced a suite of AI enhancements for its broader Creative Cloud lineup. Photoshop users can now choose third‑party generative models—such as Google’s Gemini 2.5 flash and Black Forest Labs’ FLUX.1 Kontext—for the generative‑fill feature, enabling object removal or image extension. The company is also adding an AI‑powered object mask in Premiere Pro, simplifying the identification and selection of objects or people for video effects and color adjustments.
Source: techcrunch.com