Adobe Firefly: the AI Assistant Struggling to Win Over Designers

Adobe's AI assistant Firefly, currently in beta, presents itself as an innovative tool for creatives looking to simplify certain design tasks. Unlike other AI image generators, Firefly operates as a multitasking intermediary, capable of working with Adobe design applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Users can simply provide instructions through a chatbot-like interface, and Firefly takes care of the rest.

However, despite its promises, Firefly has yet to match the work of a professional human designer. In tests, the assistant was able to make photo edits and illustrations that, while convincing at first glance, exhibited notable imperfections. For instance, it successfully changed the hair color in a photo and modified the location and lighting of the background, but some colors were overly bright, and the changes were not always well integrated into their environment. These results resemble those of a novice designer rather than an expert.

What truly sets Firefly apart is its ability to interact in detail with the user. When asked to modify an image, it accurately describes the scene and explains the steps it will take to achieve the desired result. For example, Firefly correctly identified a Maine Coon cat in a photo, even though the image primarily showed its rear end. This educational approach allows users to understand the tools and processes used, although the results do not always meet expectations.

Firefly also demonstrates transparency about its limitations. For example, when it is unable to separate objects from a JPG file into different layers, it offers two different solutions to divide the image into distinct elements, explaining the pros and cons of each. This transparency is commendable but also highlights the current limitations of the tool.

Adobe's AI assistant also allows users to add new objects to images, but the results often fall short compared to those produced by more advanced generative AI tools. Firefly refuses to make certain modifications, particularly those that could be deemed inappropriate or illegal, such as altering the shape or size of a face or body, or placing someone in revealing clothing.

Ultimately, Adobe presents Firefly as a way to save time for creative professionals by taking on labor-intensive tasks. However, for experienced designers, using this tool may feel more like supervising an intern than collaborating with a competent colleague. Firefly even inquired about which platforms users planned to publish a design on, providing a list of options like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, along with the standard pixel dimensions for such content. For Firefly to become an indispensable tool, it will need to progress further to deliver results comparable to professionally edited work.