Adobe has introduced a fresh round of Creative Cloud updates aimed at photographers and video editors, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce repetitive editing work while giving users greater creative control.
The latest upgrades to Lightroom, Photoshop and Premiere Pro arrive as AI continues to divide opinion across the creative industries. However, Adobe argues that many professional photographers are increasingly using AI not to replace creativity, but to speed up time-consuming workflows such as image selection, sharpening and object removal.
Lightroom Receives Major AI Workflow Enhancements
One of the headline additions is Adobe Lightroom’s AI-assisted culling system, first previewed during Adobe MAX in late 2025. The feature is now fully available and includes expanded functionality developed alongside professional photographers.
AI-Assisted Culling Can Review Subjects Individually
The updated Assisted Culling tool can now analyse each person in a photograph independently. It checks whether subjects have their eyes open and whether their eyes appear sharp, helping photographers sort large event, wedding or portrait shoots more efficiently.
Adobe says the system can also automatically group similar images into stacks and suggest what it considers the strongest frame from each sequence. Users are still able to override those choices manually.
Customisable filters have also been introduced, allowing photographers to adjust how aggressively the AI evaluates images. This added flexibility is intended to give users more editorial control while still reducing the time required for manual selection.
New AI Photo-to-Video Tool Arrives in Lightroom
Lightroom now includes a Photo to Video feature powered by Adobe Firefly and Google Veo. The tool converts still photographs into short AI-generated video clips suitable for social media reels or supplementary footage.
Users can add written prompts to guide the motion style and overall look of the generated clips. Adobe positions the feature as a way for creators and small businesses to repurpose photography content for video-first platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, both of which remain highly influential among UK content creators and brands.
Improved AI Sharpening and Sony RAW Support
Adobe has also integrated Topaz Labs’ Noise-Aware Sharpen model directly into Lightroom’s AI Sharpen tool. According to the company, the update improves recovery of fine detail while maintaining more natural image quality.
Alongside the AI updates, Lightroom, Lightroom Classic and Adobe Camera Raw now fully support RAW files from the new Sony a7R VI, including Sony’s Compressed HQ format. The file type previously caused compatibility issues for some editing software after Sony introduced it with earlier camera models.
Photoshop Gains More Flexible Editing Controls
Adobe has also updated Photoshop with several refinements aimed at photographers and retouchers.
Reflection Removal Now Works on Separate Layers
The Reflection Removal tool, initially demonstrated in 2024, has received a significant upgrade. Reflections can now be isolated onto a separate layer rather than being removed entirely in a destructive edit.
This allows users to reduce glare or reflections more subtly by adjusting opacity levels, producing more natural-looking final images. For photographers working with shop windows, spectacles or glass surfaces, the change could offer more realistic editing results.
Photoshop’s Remove Tool Now Works Offline
Another notable improvement is the expansion of offline AI functionality.
Photoshop’s Remove Tool, which uses generative AI to erase unwanted objects and fill areas with realistic image data, can now operate using an on-device AI model. Previously, the feature required an internet connection.
The update may appeal to photographers and creative professionals who frequently work while travelling or in locations with limited connectivity.
Premiere Pro Updates Focus on Speed and Audio Control
Adobe Premiere Pro has also received several workflow-focused improvements.
Faster AI Masking and Better Captioning
Adobe says its updated Object Mask tool now delivers softer and more natural masking results. If footage becomes disconnected and later relinked, users can regenerate masks without starting the process again.
The software also introduces single-word captioning and improved audio management features, including a new Global Audio Mute control that silences audio across the entire application.
Adobe Stock Integration Streamlined
Premiere users can now preview and license Adobe Stock assets directly within the software through a new Stock Panel Checkout system. Adobe says the feature reduces interruptions during editing by removing the need to switch between applications or browser tabs.
Adobe Pushes Ahead With AI-Driven Creative Tools
The latest Creative Cloud updates are being rolled out globally this week.
Adobe says the overall aim is to reduce friction in creative workflows while maintaining user control over AI-assisted features. As debates around generative AI continue across the creative sector, the company appears increasingly focused on positioning AI as a practical productivity tool rather than a replacement for professional editing skills.
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