After incorporating beta AI into its suite of image and video editing tools just seven months ago, Adobe has announced that its Firefly for Enterprise generative AI is now commercially available in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe Express workflows. Alongside this release, Adobe has also unveiled a new free-to-use Firefly web application, which is included in the company’s Creative Cloud paid plans.
One of the main features of the new subscription plan is the introduction of “generative credits” (GCs). Adobe defines GCs as tokens that allow customers to transform a text-based prompt into image and vector creations in Photoshop, Illustrator, Express, and the Firefly web application. This made-up currency facilitates faster access to the Firefly AI. Once users reach their monthly GC allowance, they can still continue using Firefly, but at a slower rate.
The Firefly web application will be available through Creative Cloud at the Express and Express Premium price points, as well as the free tier. Paid users will also gain access to the full paid version of Express Premium. Adobe Express is a new “AI-first, all-in-one creativity app” specifically designed to generate commercially safe images and effects. With Express, users can generate design elements, images, videos, PDFs, and animations in over 100 languages, and then export that content to social media and publishing platforms. For enterprise users, Firefly and Express Premium will be bundled together as an all-in-one editor.
However, generative AI has faced criticism due to concerns about intellectual property infringement. Some argue that generative AI systems, such as Firefly, have been trained on a vast amount of existing artwork from the internet, effectively “ripping off an entire internet’s worth of art.” This issue is further complicated by the potential replacement of actual artists with AI knockoffs, as they may be cheaper to produce and maintain.
To address these concerns, Firefly now embeds Content Credentials by default in all generated works. These credentials act as a digital “nutrition label” that displays the asset’s name, creation date, creation tool, and a log of any edits made to it. This measure is a part of Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative, an industry group focused on establishing ethical and transparency norms for AI development. The initiative aims to establish these standards before governmental regulations are imposed.
Adobe’s efforts to incorporate generative AI into its creative tools are driven by the goal of enhancing user creativity and productivity. With the commercial availability of Firefly for Enterprise, users can leverage the power of generative AI to streamline and automate their creative workflows. The inclusion of Content Credentials provides an additional layer of accountability and transparency to address ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI in the creative process.
The introduction of the Firefly web application and the generative credits system further expands the accessibility and affordability of Adobe’s AI-powered tools. By offering a free-to-use version of the web application and incorporating a token-based system for accessing AI capabilities, Adobe aims to cater to a wide range of users, from individual creators to enterprise-level organizations.
Overall, Adobe’s integration of generative AI into its suite of creative tools is a significant step forward in the field of AI-driven creativity. While concerns about intellectual property infringement and the potential displacement of human artists persist, Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative and the inclusion of Content Credentials in generated works demonstrate a commitment to addressing these issues. As generative AI continues to evolve, it will be essential for industry leaders like Adobe to prioritize ethical considerations and ensure transparency in AI development.