Artificial intelligence has revolutionized image editing, transforming tasks that once required hours into work that can be accomplished in seconds. Adobe Photoshop has embraced this AI revolution with groundbreaking features that are fundamentally changing how creative professionals approach their craft.
Learning how to use AI in Photoshop is essential for anyone serious about digital image editing in 2025. The integration of generative AI in Photoshop has democratized advanced editing techniques, making professional-quality results accessible to users of all skill levels.
Tool 1: Generative Fill
Generative Fill is arguably the most revolutionary AI feature in Photoshop. This powerful tool allows you to add, remove, or modify content in images using simple text prompts, all while maintaining realistic textures, lighting, and perspective. Powered by Adobe Firefly and partner models from Google and Black Forest Labs, it analyzes your image’s context and generates content that seamlessly blends with the existing photograph.
How to use it:
- Select the area you want to modify using any selection tool.
- Access Generative Fill from the Edit menu or Contextual Task Bar.
- Enter a text prompt describing what you want (or leave it empty to remove objects).
- Click Generate, and review the three variations provided.
The AI creates non-destructive edits on separate layers, preserving your original image while giving you multiple options to choose from.
Tool 2: Generative Expand
Generative Expand extends your canvas beyond its original boundaries using AI. If you’ve ever needed to adapt an image to a different aspect ratio for social media or had a photo that was slightly too cropped, this tool is your solution. It intelligently generates new content that seamlessly extends your image in any direction while maintaining consistent lighting, perspective, and style.
How to use it:
- Select the Crop Tool and enable Generative Expand from the options bar.
- Drag the crop handles outward to expand the canvas in any direction.
- Add an optional text prompt to guide what appears in the expanded area, then click Generate.
The tool works particularly well for adapting horizontal photos to vertical formats or extending backgrounds for different aspect ratios.
Tool 3: Remove Tool
The Remove Tool is Photoshop’s intelligent object removal feature that makes eliminating unwanted elements effortless. Whether you need to remove people, objects, blemishes, or distractions, this AI-powered tool analyzes the surrounding area and fills the space seamlessly. It’s perfect for cleaning up photos quickly without the tedious clone stamping of the past.
How to use it:
- Select the Remove Tool from the toolbar (or press Shift+B).
- Simply brush over the object you want to remove.
Photoshop’s AI instantly analyzes the surrounding pixels and intelligently fills the area. For complex removals or background work, you can learn more advanced techniques to remove image background effectively in Photoshop.
Tool 4: Neural Filters
Neural Filters bring AI-powered adjustments to Photoshop through a dedicated workspace. This feature offers various AI effects including skin smoothing, style transfer, colorization of black and white photos, and facial expression adjustments. Each filter uses machine learning to understand image content and apply sophisticated enhancements that would be time-consuming or impossible manually.
How to use it:
- Go to Filter > Neural Filters to open the Neural Filters workspace.
- Browse through categories like Creative, Restoration, or Portrait.
- Select your desired filter.
- Adjust the intensity sliders to control the effect strength, preview the results in real-time, and click OK to apply.
Popular filters include Smart Portrait for facial adjustments, Skin Smoothing for retouching, and Super Zoom for AI-enhanced upscaling.
Tool 5: AI Selection
AI Selection tools in Photoshop use machine learning to automatically detect and select objects, subjects, and specific elements with remarkable accuracy. The Object Selection Tool, Select Subject, and Select Sky features can identify complex shapes, hair details, and transparent objects that would take considerable time to select manually.
How to use it:
- Click the Object Selection Tool or use Select > Subject from the menu.
Photoshop’s AI instantly analyzes your image and creates a precise selection around the main subject. For more control, hover over objects to preview selections, or draw a rough box around your target. You can refine selections using Select and Mask for perfect edge details.
The Future of AI Image Editing
As AI continues to evolve, we’re seeing exciting developments beyond Photoshop. Tools like Leawo Photo Enhancer are pushing boundaries in automated photo enhancement, offering AI-powered improvements for color correction, noise reduction, and detail enhancement. These standalone solutions complement Photoshop’s capabilities by providing specialized AI processing for batch editing and quick enhancements.
Conclusion
The AI tools in Photoshop represent a fundamental shift in how we approach image editing. Generative Fill and Expand open creative possibilities previously unimaginable, while the Remove Tool and AI Selection make tedious tasks effortless.
Neural Filters add sophisticated effects with minimal effort. By mastering these five tools, you’ll dramatically accelerate your workflow while achieving professional results. The future of image editing is here, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence. Start experimenting with these tools today and discover how generative AI in Photoshop can transform your creative work.
