Photoshop keeps adding AI features at a breakneck pace. But here’s the thing: Not all of them are worth your time.
I spent weeks testing Adobe’s newest generative tools to separate the genuinely useful from the overhyped gimmicks. Some features transformed my workflow. Others just got in the way.
Let’s cut through the marketing speak and figure out which AI tools deserve a permanent spot in your toolkit.
Generate Images Without Leaving Photoshop
Adobe built Firefly directly into Photoshop. So you can create AI images without switching apps or breaking your flow.
Here’s how it works. Open your project and look for the contextual taskbar. Click the “Generate image” button. Or navigate to Edit > Generate image. You can also hit the sparkle icon in the left toolbar.
Type your prompt. Pick a style. Upload reference images if you want. Then click Generate.
The interface shows multiple variations instantly. Tab through them using the arrows below your canvas. Don’t like any? Click the four-square icon to tweak your prompt and try again.
Pro tip: Put the most important details at the start of your prompt. And be specific. “Golden retriever playing in snow at sunset” beats “cute dog” every time.
But here’s what Adobe won’t tell you. If your first few attempts miss the mark, start fresh. Endlessly regenerating variations rarely fixes fundamental prompt problems. Just rewrite and try again.
Three AI Features That Actually Matter
Photoshop’s AI toolkit includes dozens of options. But three tools stand out as genuinely useful for everyday work.
Generative Fill works like magic. Select any area with the brush tool. Type what you want there. Hit Generate. The AI fills that space with contextually appropriate content.
Navigate to Edit > Generative Fill to access it. Make sure you’re using the selection brush first. Mark your target area precisely. Vague selections produce vague results.
I use this constantly for adding elements to compositions. Want birds in your sky? Trees in your landscape? Products on a shelf? Generative Fill handles it surprisingly well.
Generative Expand saves cropping disasters. Ever crop a photo only to realize you need more space? This tool fixes that problem.
Select the crop tool. Drag your canvas to the size you want. Type a prompt describing what should fill the new space. Or leave it blank for seamless extension of existing elements.
The AI analyzes your image and creates matching content. I recently used it to add sky and foreground to a stadium photo. The results looked natural enough that nobody questioned if it was edited.
Generative Remove beats the clone stamp. This upgraded eraser intelligently removes objects without leaving obvious gaps or artifacts.
Two methods work here. Either select an object with the object select tool, then type “remove” in Generative Fill. Or grab the Remove tool (under Spot Healing) and manually paint over what you want gone.
Photobombers, power lines, litter in landscapes – this tool handles them all faster than traditional methods. Though it occasionally requires touch-up for complex removals.
Sky Replacement Delivers Mixed Results
Adobe’s sky replacement feature sounds impressive. Navigate to Edit > Sky Replacement. Choose from presets including sunsets, blue skies, and dramatic “spectacular” options.
But here’s the reality. Some skies look fantastic. Others scream “fake” from a mile away.
The tool works best on images with clear horizon lines and simple architecture. Complex scenes with intricate trees or detailed buildings? The AI struggles to blend convincingly.
Plus, you’ll spend time adjusting brightness and other settings to make the replacement look natural. So it’s not exactly a one-click solution.
I got great results adding Carolina blue skies to stadium shots. But cityscape replacements looked obviously artificial. Your mileage will vary depending on your source images.
Generate Background for Product Shots
Product photographers will love this one. Upload your subject photo to Photoshop. Click “Remove background” from the contextual taskbar. Then hit “Generate background.”
The AI creates contextually appropriate settings for your product. Solid colors and patterns work brilliantly. Textured backgrounds look professional and polished.
But cityscape or complex scene backgrounds? Those still look AI-generated in that telltale way. Stick with simpler options for best results.
This feature shines when you need multiple background variations quickly. Shoot your product once, then generate ten different settings in minutes. That’s a real time-saver for e-commerce work.
Neural Filters and Other Specialized Tools
Photoshop includes several other AI-powered features worth mentioning. Neural filters handle detailed photo editing tasks. The curvature pen tool creates more consistent arcs for designers.
Adobe keeps adding more AI capabilities throughout the year. So this toolkit will keep expanding whether we want it to or not.
The reality? Some AI tools genuinely improve workflow efficiency. Others solve problems nobody actually had. And a few create new problems while claiming to fix old ones.
What Actually Works in Practice
After extensive testing, here’s my honest take. Photoshop’s AI suite performs well for specific tasks. But you need to understand what each tool does best.
Generative Expand excels at resizing and extending images. Generative Remove crushes simple object removal tasks. Sky Replacement works for certain photos but fails on others.
The key is knowing when to use AI and when traditional tools work better. I don’t reach for AI features on every project. But when the situation calls for it, these tools can save significant time.
Just remember Adobe’s AI works best as a complement to your existing skills. Not a replacement for them. The tools help professionals work faster. They don’t magically transform beginners into experts.
Choose your AI features strategically. Master the ones that actually improve your workflow. Ignore the rest.