The software giant Adobe is upgrading Photoshop with a series of generative AI-based tools expected to change the way users edit, repair, and design images. In the new beta version for the desktop and web versions, and recently also in early access for iOS users, Adobe offers solutions intended to save time, simplify tedious steps, and make precise, realistic editing much more accessible — even for users less experienced in complex Photoshop work. Among the new features are a tool for high-quality image resolution upscaling, a tool for smart and realistic removal of unwanted objects, and a new feature called Harmonize that synchronizes different elements in the image and matches colors, lighting, and visual tone — so the final result looks uniform and natural.
One of the most prominent tools is Generative Upscale — a development that allows dramatic improvement of old or blurry photos using artificial intelligence. Unlike regular upscaling, which simply stretches existing pixels, the generative tool analyzes the image content and adds new details that look natural. This produces a high-quality image, up to a resolution of 8 megapixels, without damaging sharpness, colors, or depth perception. This tool is especially useful for designers, photographers, digital restorers, and even regular users who want to upgrade old photos from the album.
The Remove tool — for removing objects from an image — has also undergone a revolution. In the new version, it offers much cleaner and more precise results. Beyond being able to "clean" unnecessary elements like people in the background, signs, objects, and even shadows, it now also understands when not to replace the removed object with new content — a known issue that bothered users in the past. The updated Firefly model on which the tool is based produces a more realistic result, with fewer artifacts and defects, so the final image looks as if it was originally photographed that way.
The most impressive innovation is Harmonize — an automatic composition tool that simplifies a process previously reserved for professionals. The tool enables blending elements from different images, such as adding a person to a landscape, smoothly and uniformly. The AI automatically adjusts the added element’s color tones, lighting, shadows, and overall tone so it fits perfectly with the original image — without the need for manual work with layers, masks, or filters. The feature is based on the experimental Project Perfect Blend presented at the Adobe Max conference last year, and now comes to actual implementation in Photoshop.
Alongside the new tools, Photoshop also adds a new feature called Projects — a file management system that allows organizing all images, edits, and versions in one place, including sending entire collections instead of a single file each time. Additionally, it is now possible to choose between several versions of the Firefly model through a new tool called Gen AI Model Picker, allowing flexibility and personalization when using AI.
Of course, these upgrades also raise ethical questions. The ability to create or alter visual reality with a click greatly facilitates creative work — but also enables the creation of dangerous manipulations. Adobe attempts to address this through Content Credentials technology — a digital mark automatically attached to an edited image, containing information about the type of changes made. However, the mark does not block the ability to perform problematic manipulations, but only adds transparency — as long as the user chooses not to remove it.
Adobe emphasizes that use of the new features is subject to terms of use that prohibit creating harmful or illegal content. Joel Ber, product manager at Photoshop, told The Verge: "Adobe takes content safety very seriously, and has implemented protective mechanisms to ensure reliability and responsible use of the new tools."