Generative AI: Adobe's "natural look" photo app gets AI smarts

Well, yes, it was. Adobe Indigo launched last year with the promise of making iPhone photos look like they came from a professional camera, without too many tricks. Now, the app is getting an update that adds generative artificial intelligence tools, which feels like quite a contradiction for a "natural" app.

Project Indigo was introduced by Adobe in 2023 with a clear goal: to give smartphone shots a more authentic touch, almost like an SLR. The idea was to capture reality with fewer filters and digital interventions, focusing on "raw" quality. It aimed for pure authenticity above all else. Sounded like a breath of fresh air, didn't it?

Despite Adobe having its powerful Firefly model, Indigo's update won't be using it. The news doesn't specify which AI engine will be deployed, but it's a curious choice that suggests a more experimental approach. Perhaps Adobe wants to test something different in the field, away from its main brand's spotlight.

These new generative AI features will allow users to modify images in ways that previously required more complex software. You'll be able to add or remove elements, change backgrounds, or enhance details with just a few taps, transforming the original photo. Adobe launched the Indigo camera app in 2023, aiming to provide an SLR-like look for iPhone photography.

Let's just say the line between "natural" and "AI-enhanced" is getting blurrier. For Adobe, integrating generative AI into Indigo means bringing powerful tools to a wider audience. This makes photo editing super accessible, even if it slightly undermines the initial promise of "naturalness."

This move shows how artificial intelligence is becoming a standard, even in products that theoretically should avoid it. It's a bit like an organic restaurant starting to use artificial flavors, isn't it? The market demands AI, and Adobe responds, perhaps sacrificing a bit of consistency for the sake of functionality.