Adobe Photoshop has now got this insane new AI feature which is taking the world by storm. The “Generative Fill” feature is available on the desktop or Firefly beta app and will be available as part of the official service later in the year.
The AI image generator is unique because it’s trained on Adobe licensed stock, so potentially, people can use the images for commercial purposes without the risk of copyright infringement. Let’s look at the incredible new AI feature, its creative benefits, and potential drawbacks below.
The Generative Fill Feature
Adobe launched the Generative Fill feature on Tuesday, as reported by The Verge, and the results are pretty impressive. The new tool is a Creative Cloud application – one of the first apps to use Adobe’s Firefly AI image generator, which launched as a beta in March.
Adobe Firefly is a family of generative AI models, and according to their website, “It has quickly become one of the most successful beta launches in the company’s history, with beta users generating over 100 million assets”.
Generative Fill allows users to fill selected areas of an image with AI-generated content via simple text commands. Users can add AI-generated images to existing photos or create an image from scratch.
So, if you type in blue flowers, it will give you a selection of blue flowers to work with. Or you can add a cloud, mountain, sports car, or wherever else you can think of to an image in seconds.
Firefly automatically adjusts the light and perspective and can completely change the scenery. Users can also remove objects or parts of the image or extend the dimensions. The generator creates the content in layers – so it doesn’t destroy the original image.
The Creativity Co-Pilot
With the new creative tool, users can let their imagination run wild and create stunning images in minutes. It will reduce the technical work for creators and give them more creative freedom.
Adobe Firefly also makes the Photoshop programme more accessible to untrained users.
The Adobe website states, “This is the start of the company’s major initiative to integrate generative AI into existing creative workflows across Creative Cloud, giving users a creative co-pilot to accelerate ideation, exploration and production”.
Firefly isn’t the first AI image generator, but In the past, creators have been wary about using AI-generated images because they can’t be certain of the sources and copyright. Firefly hopes to change that.
Adobe is transparent about their learning data – Firefly trained on their millions of licenced stock images. So, technically there’s no risk of copyright infringement, and theoretically, users can use the material commercially.
Concerns About AI-Generated Images
The release date of the new Generative Fill feature couldn’t be better in highlighting the concerns about AI-generated images. Earlier this week, the New York Stock Market took a hit due to a fake AI-generated image of an explosion at the Pentagon.
Firefly is a game changer for creativity, but there are concerns that people could use the new AI image generator to create propaganda and misinformation.
Adobe has taken some measures to address the concerns. Ars Technica reports that they have blocked the app from generating images from keywords regarding violence and sex.
Adobe also has strict terms of use, which state users can’t use images for illegal activity, abuse or which contain confidential information. The company also abides by Content Credentials, which attach attribution data and state if it was generated or edited with AI.
