Adobe Photoshop AI: Harmonize & Enhanced Editing Features
Adobe has introduced a suite of new generative AI tools for Photoshop, designed to significantly simplify complex image editing processes and make them more accessible to a wider range of users.
A flagship addition is “Harmonize,” an evolution of Adobe’s earlier “Project Perfect Blend” experiment. This innovative feature automatically adjusts the color, lighting, shadows, and overall mood of new elements inserted into an image, ensuring they seamlessly integrate with the existing photograph. Previously, achieving convincing composites required considerable expertise in image manipulation software. Harmonize aims to lower this barrier, offering users a choice of three composition options to achieve the most natural visual outcome. The tool is currently available in beta for Photoshop on both web and desktop platforms, with early access already extended to iOS users.
Beyond composite creation, Adobe has also enhanced Photoshop with an AI-powered upscaling feature. This tool can increase image resolution up to eight megapixels without compromising quality, making it ideal for restoring older photographs or adapting images for various digital platforms. Comparisons demonstrate that the AI upscaling tool significantly sharpens details in both “before” and “after” renditions.
The object removal functionality has also received a substantial upgrade. Adobe states that the improved version delivers cleaner results, minimizing stray background elements and generating more realistic fills for erased areas. A common issue in previous iterations, where unwanted objects were accidentally swapped into the image, has reportedly been resolved. Both the AI upscaling and enhanced object removal features are now available in the web and desktop betas.
For users leveraging “Generative Fill” and “Generative Expand,” Photoshop now offers a choice between Firefly Image 1 and Image 3 AI models. Adobe indicates that each model provides a distinct style and focus, offering creatives greater control over their final images. The company has not yet provided specific details on what differentiates these models or why Firefly Image 2 is not included.
These new AI capabilities fundamentally change the ease with which images can be manipulated. What once demanded advanced skills can now be accomplished with just a few clicks, accelerating high-level editing and making it more scalable. This shift inevitably raises new questions regarding image authenticity. While Photoshop’s existing AI features incorporate safeguards against deepfakes of public figures or violent content, “Harmonize” allows users to combine nearly any elements, provided they have the necessary source material.
To address concerns about image alteration and foster transparency, Adobe is implementing “content credentials.” This safety layer logs edits and establishes a “chain of trust” for digital images. Joel Baer, a Photoshop product manager, has stated that users are also bound by Adobe’s terms of service, which prohibit the creation of illegal or harmful content.