Exciting New AI Tools: A Dive into Adobe, Microsoft, and More
5 min readEvery week, new AI tools emerge at an astonishing pace. This week, we explore some revolutionary updates and releases, from Adobe’s cutting-edge image generation model in Photoshop to Microsoft’s compact open-source model. Meanwhile, lesser-known innovations, such as an app to eliminateYouTube clickbait, are equally intriguing. However, the spotlight is firmly on Adobe’s latest steps in AI integration, offering tools that are both accessible and powerful. Let’s dive into these groundbreaking developments and see what they bring to the table.
Adobe’s New Image Generation Model in Photoshop
Adobe has unleashed a fresh image generation model within the latest version of Photoshop, marking a notable step forward for graphic designers and digital artists. This isn’t just any model—it’s Firefly, now integrated into Photoshop Beta, and offering hyper-realistic image generation. The web interface of Photoshop also boasts a new generative expand feature, making image manipulation more versatile and powerful.
With Firefly, users can log in for free and receive 25 credits. Those who subscribe for $5 a month get 100 credits, while Photoshop users gain 500 credits. The full Creative Cloud Suite offers up to 1000 generative credits. This makes the tool accessible to a variety of budgets. Although subjective, many users find Firefly’s image generation to be competitive, comparable perhaps to MidJourney’s V6 model, though not perfect, it’s strong and reliable.
Expanding Photoshop Features
The latest Photoshop features are nothing short of impressive. Firefly now allows users to generate entire images, not just parts of them. There’s a new reference image feature that lets you map structures, such as a backpack, onto other parts of an image. Furthermore, you can regenerate backgrounds and enhance details using an upscaler.
In a practical demonstration, creating a neon-colored butterfly showcased the model’s improved realism and consistency. Previously, larger image elements required extensive touch-ups, but now the process is more seamless. Photoshop combined with AI stands out as a powerful tool, especially with the enhanced generative fill capabilities that users have quickly adopted.
Exploring Open Source Image Generators
In the realm of image generators, there’s a new tool that’s like
chat but for open-source image generators. Users can rate different images and see which model created them. For instance, models like Cascade and Stable Diffusion XL can be compared and learned about quickly.
This tool ranks models based on preferences, offering a playful yet informative way to understand various open-source image generators. It’s user-friendly and provides insights into which models are favored for certain types of image generation.
Less Clickbait on YouTube
An independently developed app now tackles the clickbait culture on YouTube by reskinning the platform’s interface in a less sensational manner. This tool selects random frames from the video instead of the creator’s chosen thumbnail and modifies titles by removing excessive capitalization.
This app has been well-received, especially by those tired of the over-the-top titles and thumbnails that dominate YouTube. While it doesn’t use AI, it offers a cleaner, more unified viewing experience. This tool can be tried for free, with an option to support the developer with a $1 payment.
Users can enable or disable the app easily, customizing how their YouTube interface looks. This makes the browsing experience less cluttered and more focused on content rather than flashy thumbnails.
Microsoft’s Tiny Open Source Model
Microsoft has introduced a new open-source model that fits on almost any machine, even most phones. Known as Five Mini, this 3.8 billion parameter model performs commendably well given its size. This accessibility allows more users to run high-performing models without needing top-tier hardware.
A short tutorial video shows how to use this model and even an uncensored version. Users can switch to the Five Mini Model, start a chat, and execute basic LLM tasks locally with no internet required. This model is practical for a wide range of simple AI tasks, making it highly versatile.
Humming to Generate Songs
A unique tool on Hugging Face now lets users generate song ideas by simply humming a tune. This quirky feature transforms your hum into a complete song. Although results may vary, it provides a fun, creative way to explore music generation.
Users can trim the generated content to better fit their desired output. While it might not always produce a perfect song, the tool is entertaining and offers a new way to engage with AI-driven music creation.
Despite the novelty, this tool demonstrates the expanding horizon of what AI can do, opening new doors for musicians and hobbyists alike.
Creating Color Palettes with AI
For those needing help with design, a new AI tool can generate color palettes based on simple prompts. Users can input emotions or specific looks, and the tool will create a fitting color palette. This is especially useful for beginners in graphic design who need a starting point for their projects.
The tool provides examples of how the color palette might look across different UI elements and product images. It’s free to use and offers a practical way to experiment with color schemes.
If the generated palette isn’t satisfactory, users can simply regenerate a new one. This flexibility makes it a valuable tool for designers working on brand-new projects.
Wendy’s AI Checkout System
Fast-food giant Wendy’s has incorporated AI into their checkout systems. This AI interacts with customers, transcribes their orders, and responds with a synthetic voice. It’s a glimpse into how AI might be integrated into customer service roles.
An example interaction shows the AI taking an order for a chocolate frosty, confirming the size, and completing the transaction smoothly. This efficiency highlights the potential for AI in streamlining customer interactions in various industries.
Wendy’s implementation of AI serves as a real-world example of how businesses can leverage technology for improved customer service. Similar implementations might soon be seen in other sectors like banking.
AI technology continues to evolve at an astounding rate, offering tools that are innovative and versatile. From Adobe’s enhanced Photoshop features to Microsoft’s compact open-source model, these advancements are accessible and powerful. Lesser-known tools, like the YouTube clickbait remover and the humming-to-song generator, showcase the creative potential of AI. As these tools become integrated into everyday applications, they not only foster creativity but also streamline various tasks, making technology more user-friendly and efficient. The future of AI looks promising as it continues to push boundaries and redefine possibilities.