Will AI Editing Tools Replace Photoshop? – A Discussion

When AI truly emerged and became mainstream, one of the most common questions among photographers was – Will AI Kill Photography?

But as more and more AI editing tools started cropping up, another question has emerged – Will it kill Photoshop too?

When you look at the capabilities of the different AI image editing apps, you might wonder if Photoshop will survive or not.

For instance, I recently review an app called Pincel AI, where I created a 48 minutes long video which shows all the AI tools in that app. Most of these tools can do with a single click, what would take hours in Photoshop. Here is the video:

So there is not doubt that Photoshop is in danger.

But will it get replaced entirely?

I do not think so.

At least not any time soon.

Why?

Let’s look at the different reasons which are still in favor of Photoshop:

1. Adobe is Too Big a Company – It Can Sustain Losses While Small AI Players Can’t

Adobe is an industry giant with deep financial resources and a loyal user base. Even if AI editing apps disrupt the market, Adobe has the ability to absorb losses and adapt its business strategy. Smaller AI-based startups, on the other hand, often rely on external funding and subscriptions to stay afloat. If their AI models don’t generate enough revenue or if users don’t stick around, these companies may struggle to survive. Adobe, with its massive ecosystem and diversified revenue streams, can afford to play the long game and evolve alongside AI advancements.

2. Photoshop Also Has AI Tools

While new AI-powered tools are impressive, Adobe has been integrating AI into Photoshop for years. Features like Generative Fill, Neural Filters, and Content-Aware Fill show that Photoshop isn’t falling behind—it’s actually leveraging AI to make editing more powerful. The difference is that Photoshop balances AI automation with manual control, allowing professionals to fine-tune their work rather than relying solely on one-click solutions.

3. Adobe Has More Data to Train AI Models

One of the biggest advantages Adobe has over AI startups is access to vast amounts of high-quality image data. With millions of users working on Photoshop daily, Adobe has a continuous stream of real-world editing data to refine its AI models. This data advantage allows Adobe to develop more accurate, powerful, and customizable AI tools compared to startups that may have limited training datasets.

4. AI Lacks the Precision and Control Photoshop Offers

While AI tools are great for quick edits, they often struggle with precision and creative control. Professional editors and photographers need pixel-level accuracy, which AI still cannot guarantee. AI-based tools work well for general edits, but when it comes to detailed retouching, compositing, and creative effects, Photoshop remains the superior choice. AI can assist, but it cannot fully replace the skill and judgment of a human editor.

5. Photoshop is More Than Just an Editing Tool—It’s an Industry Standard

Beyond its features, Photoshop has become an industry standard in photography, design, and digital art. Professionals in creative fields rely on Photoshop not just for its tools, but also for its integration with Adobe’s ecosystem (Lightroom, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, etc.). Many creative agencies, print labs, and publishers have workflows built around Photoshop. Even if AI tools become more powerful, they will need to match Photoshop’s compatibility and industry acceptance, which is no easy task.

Conclusion

AI-powered editing tools have made impressive strides, offering quick, automated solutions that can handle tasks in seconds that once took hours. However, while these tools may challenge Photoshop’s dominance, they are unlikely to replace it entirely—at least not anytime soon.

Adobe’s financial strength, its own AI-powered features, and its vast training data give it a strong edge over smaller AI startups. Moreover, Photoshop provides precision and control that AI tools still struggle to match, and its status as an industry standard ensures its continued relevance in professional workflows.

Rather than an outright replacement, the future will likely see AI and Photoshop evolving together. AI will streamline repetitive tasks, while Photoshop will remain the go-to tool for those who need full creative control. In the end, AI isn’t here to kill Photoshop—it’s here to make it better.