Adobe launches AI assistant for Express and Photoshop

Adobe today released Express and Photoshop, new AI assistant Creative Cloud products that can help users create and edit images.

Most companies prefer to have their AI assistants in the sidebar of their products to understand on-screen context. However, for Express, Adobe has created a new mode that allows you to create new images and designs using text prompts. You can turn on Assistant mode to use AI prompts, then switch back to use the editing tools and controls available in the current version of Express.

Meanwhile, the new Photoshop Assistant, which is in closed beta testing, can be found in the sidebar. Adobe claims the assistant can understand different layers and help automatically select objects and create masks. Adobe added that users can ask Assistant to perform repetitive tasks such as removing the background or changing colors.

Alexandru Costin, Adobe’s vice president of generative AI, told TechCrunch that the company decided to build another mode of AI assistant in Express, targeting students and professionals who use the app. He explained that the company wants to see if users can accomplish what they want without reverting to the traditional interface.

“We believe this approach of switching between the two modes and getting the best of both worlds makes technology more accessible and controllable,” Kostin said.

The company also said it is experimenting with a new type of assistant, dubbed “Project Moonlight.” The assistant works with a variety of assistants from other Adobe tools and connects with creators’ social channels to better understand their style. Adobe said the product is in early stages of development and in private beta.

The company said it is also exploring ways to connect Adobe Express to ChatGPT using OpenAI’s app integration API, allowing users to create designs directly in ChatGPT.

Adobe also announced a new AI feature set for Creative Cloud apps. Photoshop users can now choose third-party models like Google’s Gemini 2.5 flash and Black Forest Labs’ FLUX.1 Kontext for generative fills that can remove objects or enhance images. The company is also adding AI-powered object masks to its video editing app Premiere Pro, allowing users to easily identify and select objects and people, add effects, and adjust colors.