Microsoft is giving Paint its biggest update in years with brand new generative AI features to edit photos even faster and more efficiently.

Microsoft is introducing two new AI features: Generative Fill and Generative Erase. Users can easily edit photos by adding or removing objects. The update is similar to that of Adobe Photoshop Elements, which also includes AI improvements.

The only requirement is that you have a Copilot Plus PC. These are PCs with a powerful NPU that delivers at least 40 TOPS. Unlike traditional CPUs and GPUs, NPUs are optimized to perform complex mathematical calculations that are part of artificial neural networks. You can find a list of compatible PCs here.

Fill or delete generatively

Users can edit specific parts of the photo using a brush. Generative Erase, a feature already available in the Photos app, deletes unwanted background figures or other unwanted objects. Generative Fill allows AI-generated objects to be added to your photo from a command prompt. With this update, Microsoft wants to reduce its dependence on expensive, high-end image editing programs.

The technology builds on the Cocreator tool in Paint announced last year. The entered text is processed using OpenAI’s Dall-E. According to The Verge, image generation works not only through descriptions or prompts, but also through reference sketches. You can then edit the image using all of Paint’s features. It is not yet known when the update to Windows 11 will be rolled out.

Last month, Microsoft pulled the plug on Paint 3D. The app was intended to replace the original Paint, but the 3D functionality didn’t seem to appeal to the general public. Fortunately, there are clearly still efforts to modernize Paint with artificial intelligence.