Apple’s new AI photo editing tools mostly work, for better and worse

Editor's take

Apple's latest iOS update introduces generative fill capabilities for photo editing, allowing users to expand images and remove unwanted objects using AI. This marks a significant step for the iPhone's built-in editing suite, moving beyond traditional adjustments to offer more creative manipulation.

The integration of these tools directly into the ubiquitous iPhone camera app democratizes access to advanced AI editing, potentially impacting casual photographers and professional workflows alike by lowering the barrier to entry for sophisticated image manipulation. This feature competes with established desktop editing software and emerging mobile AI photo apps, signaling a broader trend of AI becoming an integral part of consumer-grade creative tools.

Future developments will likely focus on the quality and nuance of Apple's generative AI, particularly in complex scenarios involving human subjects or intricate backgrounds. The company's approach to user control over AI outputs and its privacy implications will also be critical to monitor, as will be the competitive response from Android manufacturers and third-party photo editing applications.