Community Expert

Question

AI is moving fast: are you feeling empowered or overwhelmed?

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
February 18, 2026
95 replies
1275 views

I recently compared Firefly, Gemini Nano, and FLUX 1 Kontext Pro inside Photoshop. One gives me ideas in seconds with different generations vs the time it takes to draw one sketch or composed one. It’s an incredible power, but I wonder if we’re losing our creative "gut feeling" in the process. Design has changed for many. In Photoshop, AI has turned the canvas into an interactive partner. As designers, we are no longer just creators; we are curators of a conversation.

We’ve never had this much power at our fingertips, but does speed equal mastery? I want to know: Does that speed make you feel like a creative powerhouse, or does it make you wonder who’s really in the driver’s seat?

Please drop a comment with your experience! ~ Love to hear how your process or thoughts has shifted—No right or wrong answers here—just your honest take!

Chuck Uebele

Community Expert

Personally, other than for simple edits, I have little interest in AI generated images. While I've seen many amazing AI images, I still prefer to create images and compositions using photos that I've taken. This attitude predates AI and I would not use stock images for compositions.

creative explorer

Author

Community Expert

@Chuck Uebele I agree with you on that! Nothing beats taking photos and making beautiful compositions versus using AI. Like you, I’ve seen some AI-generated compositions that make me wonder whether they’re real or AI — and then there are others where you can tell instantly it’s AI.

Do you remember back when buying a stock image meant paying per use, and the cost went up depending on how many publications or placements you needed. All of that was long before subscription libraries became the norm!

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Chuck Uebele

Community Expert

Yes, I remember. But I rarely ever used stock. The only time was when a friend wanted me to composite a poster. She picked out all the images, and I used my credits for the images.

Carson Jones

Known Participant

I like Comfy UI and use it almost exclusively. When it comes to AI, the rate of change and sheer number of Generative AI options is too much to rely on in any consistent way IMO. Understanding that the rate of change and many different sources are likely going to continue, I want an app that is much more consistent in terms of workflow.

If I had to sum up how I feel currently… most of generative AI is junk. Resolution (or lack of) is a big issue in a production environment. Future Generative AI systems need to be able to reproduce what they’ve created in the past for much more consistent projects and campaigns. AI functionality as an application add-on (think Photoshop) is terrible currently. Generative AI is so different to what’s been done in the past and it requires a new UI and approach to be truly effective.

www.carsonjones.com

creative explorer

Author

Community Expert

@Carson Jones I haven't used ComfyUI yet, but I might take a look at it after work! I find Adobe’s AI tools to be hit-or-miss—I get decent results in Illustrator, but rarely use them in Photoshop. Coming from a technical pre-press background, I'm used to exact precision and predictability, so I naturally default to the methods I know deliver. So, I totally understand where you are coming from on th production side of things!

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ALexzendra

Participant

For me, AI feels useful when it speeds up repetitive work but leaves the main creative decisions to the person. Generating ten ideas in seconds is great, but choosing what works, refining it, and giving it meaning still requires human judgment. I see the same pattern across digital tools and apps, from Photoshop features to platforms or apps, where faster access is useful but the overall user experience still matters. Speed helps, but I don’t think it replaces creative instinct.

creative explorer

Author

Community Expert

@ALexzendra totally agree with you. I noticed when I am using AI, I am always refining the outputs, or asking for a different way. Oddly, when I go for a walk around work or downtown where the shops are, I notice more AI advertisements. People are looking at online AI tools to create their advertising, but it gets to the point where it all looks the same. Owners and managers think they're saving a few bucks by skipping a graphic designer, but they end up sacrificing brand identity for generic, uninspired visuals. In the end, 'cheap and fast' can't replace the human touch that actually makes a design memorable.

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Safline

Participant

Thanks for sharing. I've been thinking about ordering from, but I'm still unsure. Has anyone here bought from them recently? How was the product quality and shipping experience?

jane-e

Community Expert

@Safline wrote: How was the product quality and shipping experience?

Adobe does not ship Photoshop. It’s downloaded from the Creative Cloud app.

You can get a free 7-day trial, which will roll into an annual commitment if you forget to cancel within the 7 days.

Jane

sbn85

Inspiring

I feel disgusted

creative explorer

Author

Community Expert

@sbn85 why do you feel disgusted?

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S

SundayGladiator

Legend

NA

creative explorer

Author

Community Expert

@SundayGladiator NA - Not Available or Not Applicable?

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Hedda Gabler1

Participating Frequently

Interesting question! AI definitely feels empowering in terms of speed and idea generation, but at the same time it can feel overwhelming trying to keep control of the creative process and not just follow what the tool suggests.

HeddaG

creative explorer

Author

Community Expert

@Hedda Gabler1 I’m right there with you. How often do you use AI in your workflow and creative process?

I was trained the traditional way, so I’m used to a very hands-on process, but my clients are moving fast and encouraging me to use AI to keep up. It’s been a wild few weeks of toggling between pure speed and trying to maintain creative control. That's me in a nutshell lately! You definitely can’t be left behind, but finding that sweet spot where the tool assists rather than dictates is the real challenge.

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Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

Do you go back to the days of cut and paste with scalpels and Prit-sticks? I can even remember using red-opaque for spotting roll film (2.25”) and half plate negatives (about 5”).

Getting back on topic, the Ai situation is still evolving crazy fast. I was away for a bit over a month, with limited bandwidth, and I see significant changes have been made with Generative Fill. It makes it difficult to make decisions about Ai tool subscriptions. Topaz has gone monthly subscription now, for instance, but will the new Topaz models become available as Photoshop partner models. You could make an expensive mistake if you commit too soon.

muhammadgullsher876235

Participant

For me it’s a mix of both. AI tools in Photoshop definitely speed up ideation, but the real creativity still comes from deciding which ideas actually work. I see AI more as a brainstorming partner than a replacement for creative intuition.

creative explorer

Author

Community Expert

@muhammadgullsher876235 That’s a great way to put it—a brainstorming partner rather than a replacement. It makes me wonder, though: if the AI gets better at 'predicting' what we like, will we eventually stop looking for the ideas it doesn't suggest? How do you make sure you're still bringing your own unique intuition to the table when the tool is so fast?

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Tiradi45

Participant

I'm having a very difficult time being back on Ps. I used to be able to do just about anything with it back in the day. Now, I can't find half the tools zi used in the past and when I do, they don't respond the same way! I really need to come up to speed with this. I just picked up a new laser engraving/embossing/etching system and am relying heavily on Ps but I have to fight my way thru each project! Plus now thT I'm older and my eyesight isn't what it once was I can hardly see the commands and Icons. Been thru preferences and and other system modification utilities but tiny type and old eyes are getting the better of me!

jane-e

Community Expert

@Tiradi45

Please start a new post so we can better address your issues. Be specific, and start a new post for each issue. Screenshots will help. We would love to assist!

Jane

Tiradi45

Participant

At this point, I am totally lost! Would love to have an older version of Ps when things weren't so convoluted! Please HELP!

creative explorer

Author

Community Expert

@Tiradi45 Sometimes, a little too much AI and tech can feel inundated! I get that sometimes

m

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