Photoshop now has two faces. The classic Pro Editor keeps every panel and tool you know. The new AI Assisted Editor (beta) swaps them for a single prompt bar and a short toolbar of AI tools.
This guide explains what the AI Assisted Editor does, how to turn it on, how each tool works, which AI models you can pick, what happens to your layers, and when to switch back to the Pro Editor.
- What it is: an optional, simplified Photoshop workspace built around a prompt bar. Adobe announced it on 27 August 2026, and it’s still in beta.
- Tools: Prompt to Edit, Markup, Fill, Remove, Crop and Expand, Upscale and Remove Background.
- Models: Adobe Firefly plus partner models such as FLUX 2 Pro, GPT Image 2 and Gemini (Nano Banana) image models.
- Turn it on: use the AI Assisted / Pro Editor toggle at the top left, or enable it under Preferences, Interface.
- Catch: it works on a flattened copy and uses generative credits. Do detailed work in the Pro Editor.
What Is the Photoshop AI Assisted Editor?
The AI Assisted Editor is an optional view inside Photoshop on desktop. Instead of dozens of panels, you get a prompt bar and a small set of AI tools for common jobs.
It’s aimed at people who want results without learning masks, layers and selections. Experienced users can also use it to try ideas fast, then move back to the Pro Editor to finish.
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Announced | 27 August 2026 |
| Status | Beta, inside Photoshop (no separate app) |
| Platforms | Photoshop on desktop (Windows and Mac) |
| Price | No new plan; uses your Photoshop or Creative Cloud subscription and generative credits |
Note: Adobe MAX runs from 10 to 12 November 2026, and Adobe may change or expand this mode there. I’ll update this guide after the event.
How to Turn On AI Assisted Editor
- Update Photoshop. Open the Creative Cloud app and install the latest Photoshop version (the feature arrived around version 27.10).
- Look for the toggle. At the top left of the menu bar there’s a switch between AI Assisted and Pro Editor.
- If you don’t see it, go to Edit, Preferences, Interface on Windows, or Photoshop, Settings, Interface on Mac. Turn on Show AI Assisted Editor.
- Or use the Window menu: choose Window, AI Assisted Editor.
- Save first. Save your PSD in the Pro Editor before switching, because the AI mode works on a flattened copy.
- Switch back any time with the same toggle. You can hide the toggle again in the same Interface settings.
Tip: some guides say to install the Photoshop beta app for this. If the toggle isn’t in your main Photoshop yet, install Photoshop (Beta) from the Beta apps section of Creative Cloud.
Every Tool in AI Assisted Editor
| Tool | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Prompt (Prompt to Edit) | Changes the whole image from a text instruction, with a choice of model | Day to night, new style, add props |
| Markup | Lets you draw strokes, arrows, regions, text or add a reference image, then generate | Precise edits without masks |
| Tune (beta) | Restyles the whole image with an intensity slider | Quick looks and grades |
| Fill | Adds or replaces content in a selected area | Replacing a sky or object |
| Remove | Paint over an object to remove it and rebuild the background | Tourists, wires, blemishes |
| Crop and expand | Changes the frame and generates new edges | Turning a portrait into a banner |
| Upscale | Increases resolution and restores detail | Small or old photos |
| Remove background | Isolates the subject with refined edges | Product shots, cut-outs |
How to Edit With a Prompt
- Open an image and switch to AI Assisted.
- Choose Prompt in the toolbar.
- Type the change in plain English, for example ‘Make it golden hour with warm light on her face’.
- Pick a model and size from the prompt bar. The bar shows the generative credit cost before you generate.
- Generate. You get two variations. Pick one, or refine the prompt and try again.
- Finish in the Pro Editor if you need masks or colour work.
Prompt to Edit is also in the Pro Editor through the Contextual Task Bar, without a selection. There, each result goes on its own non-destructive generative layer.
Tip: keep prompts short and specific. One change per prompt works better than a long list of edits.
AI Markup: Draw Your Edit
Markup is the most useful new idea here. Instead of writing a long prompt, you draw directly on the image to show what you want.
- Recolour: select an area and write the new colour, like ‘make the jacket red’.
- Move or add: sketch an arrow to show where something should go, or brush a rough shape for a new object.
- Add text or a reference: place a label like ‘add clouds here’ or drop in a reference image.
- Generate once: Photoshop combines all your marks and makes the change in one pass.
Adobe says you can ‘select areas to recolor, sketch arrows to indicate position, or brush in rough shapes to suggest new elements’.
Which AI Models You Can Use
Prompt to Edit lets you choose between Adobe’s own Firefly model and several partner models, according to 9to5Mac’s report on the launch.
| Model | Made by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Firefly Image 5 | Adobe | Adobe says outputs are commercially safe |
| FLUX 2 Pro, FLUX Context Pro | Black Forest Labs | Partner model; licence terms from Black Forest Labs |
| GPT Image 2 | OpenAI | Partner model; licence terms from OpenAI |
| Gemini 3.1 (Nano Banana 2), Gemini 3 (Nano Banana Pro), Gemini 2.5 (Nano Banana) | Partner models; licence terms from Google |
Warning: partner model outputs follow their makers’ licence terms, not Adobe’s. Check those terms before using results in client work.
For more on the Google models, see my Nano Banana Pro guide.
What Happens to Your Layers
This is the part that catches people out. The AI Assisted Editor doesn’t work on your layer stack.
- Going into AI Assisted: Photoshop makes a flattened copy for the AI tools and shows a warning. Your layered file isn’t rewritten.
- Coming back to Pro Editor: the latest AI result is added as a new generative layer on top. Your earlier layers stay underneath.
- Aspect ratio changes: expanding the canvas can shift things. Double-click the image to reposition it.
- During a generation: don’t switch modes until it finishes.
AI Assisted Editor vs Pro Editor
| AI Assisted Editor | Pro Editor | |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Prompt bar and 8 tools | Full Photoshop |
| Layers | Works on a flattened copy | Full layer stack, groups, smart objects |
| Best for | Fast ideas, removals, expansions, upscales | Retouching, masks, colour, final output |
| Prompt to Edit | Yes | Yes, via the Contextual Task Bar |
| Learning curve | Very low | High |
My take: use AI Assisted to explore and do the heavy generative lifting. Then switch to the Pro Editor for masking, blending and export.
Generative Credits and Plans
There’s no new plan for the AI Assisted Editor. You need an active Photoshop or Creative Cloud subscription, and each generation uses generative credits from your plan.
- The prompt bar shows the cost before you click Generate.
- Partner models usually cost more credits than Firefly.
- Heavy users on smaller plans can run out of credits fast with two variations per prompt.
My Adobe Firefly pricing and free credits guide lists how many credits each plan includes.
Other AI Features Added Alongside It
Adobe released several general features on the same day, and these aren’t in beta.
- Instruct Edit with masks: make a rough selection and describe the change. Firefly Image 5 now understands the whole image, so it matches light and angle better.
- Light adjustment layer: non-destructive Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Whites and Blacks.
- Dynamic Text, Shapes and Paths: text flows along custom shapes and curves.
- Stock panel: a dockable panel with over 900 million Adobe Stock assets.
In October 2026, a separate Photoshop beta also brought a refreshed Modern User Interface. You enable it under Preferences, Interface, Enable Modern User Interface.
For every other AI tool in Photoshop, like Harmonize and Generative Upscale, see my Photoshop AI features guide.
Troubleshooting
I can’t find the AI Assisted toggle
Update Photoshop, then turn on Show AI Assisted Editor under Preferences, Interface. If it’s still missing, install Photoshop (Beta) from Creative Cloud.
My layers disappeared
They didn’t. AI Assisted shows a flattened copy. Switch back to Pro Editor and your layers are still there, with the AI result as a new layer on top.
Results look wrong on hands, text or small faces
Generative models still struggle with these. Zoom to 100%, try a different model, or fix the area with Fill or the Pro Editor tools.
Out of generative credits
Check your balance in your Adobe account. Use Firefly instead of partner models, or generate fewer variations.
Generation is slow or fails
These tools run in Adobe’s cloud, so you need a stable connection. Very large images may also take longer; try a smaller size first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AI Assisted Editor in Photoshop?
An optional, simplified beta workspace in Photoshop on desktop. It replaces the normal panels with a prompt bar and AI tools like Prompt to Edit, Markup, Remove and Upscale.
How do I turn on AI Assisted Editor?
Use the AI Assisted and Pro Editor toggle at the top left. If it’s missing, enable Show AI Assisted Editor under Preferences, Interface, or open Window, AI Assisted Editor.
Is the Photoshop AI Assisted Editor free?
It comes with a Photoshop or Creative Cloud subscription at no extra charge, but each generation uses generative credits.
Does AI Assisted Editor keep my layers?
It works on a flattened copy. When you switch back to Pro Editor, the AI result is added as a new layer above your original layers.
Which AI models does Photoshop use?
Adobe Firefly Image 5 plus partner models, including FLUX 2 Pro, FLUX Context Pro, GPT Image 2 and Google’s Nano Banana models.
Can I turn off the AI Assisted Editor?
Yes. Switch back to Pro Editor with the toggle and hide it in Preferences, Interface if you don’t want to see it.
What is AI Markup in Photoshop?
A tool where you draw arrows, shapes and labels on the image to show the edit you want. Photoshop then generates the change.
Final Thoughts
The AI Assisted Editor makes Photoshop usable for people who never wanted to learn it. Markup in particular is a smarter way to direct AI than long prompts.
Pros will still want the Pro Editor for final work, because the AI mode flattens your file. If you’d rather edit for free, try the AI tools in my Google Photos AI features guide.
Sources
- 9to5Mac: Photoshop adds optional AI Assisted Editor mode (models, tools)
- tbreak: Adobe adds an optional AI Assisted Editor mode to Photoshop
- Pixelsucht: Photoshop AI Assisted vs Pro Editor (settings, layers)
- Adobe Help: AI Assisted Editor in Photoshop FAQ
- Glyn Dewis: Photoshop’s new Modern User Interface (October 2026)
