Adobe (ADBE) shares plummeted 5.06% in Wednesday's trading session, as the company announced significant updates to its popular photo editing software, Photoshop, including the integration of third-party AI models. This move, while innovative, has sparked concerns about increased competition in the AI-driven creative software market.
The software giant revealed that its Generative Fill feature in Photoshop will now support third-party AI models, including Google's Gemini and Flux.1 Kontext from Black Forest, a German AI company. This addition allows users to choose between these models and Adobe's own Firefly AI when using the Generative Fill feature. While this expansion offers users more flexibility, it also suggests that Adobe is opening its ecosystem to potential competitors, which may have triggered investor concerns about the company's long-term market position.
Adobe also announced updates to other products in its creative suite. Lightroom is receiving an Assisted Culling feature to help photographers select the best shots from large collections, while Premiere Pro is getting an AI Object Mask tool for easier video editing. These enhancements, along with the introduction of an AI Assistant in Photoshop's web version, demonstrate Adobe's commitment to AI integration. However, the market's negative reaction suggests that investors may be worried about the company's ability to maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.