This AI art app is so good I'm ready to cancel my Photoshop subscription

The likes of Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo have been the best photo editors for a long time now. There have, however, been rumblings of change. A number of creators I know have moved away from Adobe products in favor of more affordable solutions, while others have begun embracing editing tools that are built around AI technology. You may have heard of Topaz Labs Photo AI and Photoroom. They are relatively new kids on the block but with their focus on generative tools and mobile functionality, they're seeing a huge rise in popularity. I know that Adobe is doing everything it can to reposition itself within the market but it better move fast to keep up with these upstarts. Another option is Picsart, which I've been using recently. This mobile and web app accelerates creative projects and processes so you can edit photos and videos as well as generate new ones. It's quick, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive compared to an Adobe subscription. I began my Picsart journey by putting all the photo editing tools through their paces. What better place to start than the background removal tool? I, and countless creatives, have had decades of painstakingly cutting objects out using manual selection tools. It looks like those years of hard labor might now be over. I loaded in a picture of a child with wispy hair. I did, after all, want to give Picsart a proper test. The child was also holding a couple of objects, which some background removal tools might find tricky to differentiate. After pressing the button and waiting a couple of seconds, I was amazed that Picsart had done a near-perfect job, even around the hair. Unbelievable. Through an easy-to-use interface, I was then able to insert a plain colored background or a picture from their presets library. All fairly straightforward but then I opened up the AI background tool and this is where things jumped to an eerily scary level. Picsart inserted the child into a range of different scenes, all perfectly. One option even included her standing on a chair. Anyone would struggle to know she wasn't originally photographed in that location. Suitably impressed, I then headed into the AI enhancement tools. This is where images can be sharpened and defects removed. I gave Picsart a pretty decent image already and yet it still provided a higher level of clarity and even smoothed out blemishes on the person's skin. I particularly liked the ability to adjust the intensity of the enhancement. Other than testing a range of other basic tools within Picsart, I was also very keen to check out its integrated generative AI feature. Considering these often require dedicated hardware, I was intrigued to see what my iPhone XR would be able to cope with. Again, I was blown away. I gave it the prompt "Cute animal like Father Christmas,' and it absolutely nailed it! I can definitely see myself using this feature on a regular basis to generate bespoke imagery, although maybe not Father Christmas-themed. These tools only scratch the surface of what is possible with Picsart and it really has to be seen to be believed. There is also an AI logo maker, an avatar creator, and a whole host of impressive video tools. Picsart has opened my eyes to how far AI tools have come. The fact that most tools can be utilized on a mobile is truly exceptional and helps open up new creative possibilities to creatives who don't want to be tied down to a laptop. In reality, it has challenged my own creative processes while having a lot of fun along the way. Picsart Pro is available to try for 7 days with the ability to cancel at any time. To continue using the app, you'll need the free, plus, or pro licenses. As you'd expect, the free version has a serious limit on the use of generative AI tools and very little cloud storage. It does, however, have a decent set of photo and video editing tools. The Plus license includes more generous use of AI tools, a full range of templates and fonts, and 5GB of cloud storage. The Pro version builds on this by offering branding, productivity, and team tools. Plus costs $5 / £5 per month, while Pro costs $7 / £7 per month. Picsart is also available as a web app.

TechRadar

Sun, 15 Dec, 8:00 PM UTC

I Tried AI to See How I'll Age. It Wasn't as Bad as I Expected

Amanda Smith is a freelance journalist and writer. She reports on culture, society, human interest and technology. Her stories hold a mirror to society, reflecting both its malaise and its beauty. Amanda's work has been published in National Geographic, The Guardian, Business Insider, Vice, News Corp, Singapore Airlines, Travel + Leisure, and Food & Wine. Amanda is an Australian living in the cultural center of gravity that is New York City. I'm one of those women who believes in ageing gracefully. There's nothing more attractive than someone who can wear their age well. While society idolizes youth and normalizes young people getting preventative treatments to "stay young," some argue it's having the opposite effect -- making 20-year-olds look 30. Fillers are frightening to me, but will I regret not getting them when I'm 50? I thought I'd ask artificial intelligence, with all that it can do. I've used it to change my hair color, predict my future baby's face and create headshots. Surely it can show me a realistic version of my aged face. A quick search for "old age face app" in the App Store led me to FaceApp, which has been around since way before AI was cool. The Cyprus-based FaceApp Technology launched the app in 2017, allowing you to transform your face with old and young filters. FaceApp is accessible for free, but there are feature limitations. For premium filters, no watermarks and faster processing, upgrade to FaceApp Pro. It's $10 per month, or if you pay for the 12 months in full, it's $5 per month. There's a one-week free trial available. I'm happy to pay $10 to save me a lifetime with wrinkles, but I started with the free version. I was in no state to take a selfie, so I chose a few photos from my camera roll. Given AI apps are usually picky with photo quality, I selected four to upload. Once I uploaded the images, it instantly added the FaceApp watermark to each one, given I was on the free plan. The features were easy to find, with a simple banner of prompts to select. I could change my face size, skin, expression, hair, gender and age. I clicked on Age and it had eight face prompts available, from young to teen to old. I picked "cool old" first to soften the blow. Baby steps. First impression? I'm wearing too much makeup. Oh, and I look like my grandma. Now onto the second. What this one nailed was the vertical line between my eyebrows and my crow's feet. My dad has these lines and he's 70. He's also got a full head of hair, so it's good to see my AI old age filter with fab hair. While it's fun to see how AI predicts I'll age, I wanted to take it further to get feedback on what I can do about it. Can ChatGPT tell me my problem areas and suggest a skin care regimen? I opened ChatGPT and uploaded the four old-age images from FaceApp with this prompt: "Here are four AI-generated old age filter photos of me. This is how AI predicts I'll age. Based on the visible aging in these photos, identify the problem areas and provide a personalized regime that I can do now, to avoid my skin aging to this extent. I don't want generic advice." ChatGPT suggested to see how my skin responds to good skincare over the next two years and if dynamic lines deepen, it's time for Botox. Ouch. Given that I'm nontox obsessed, I asked ChatGPT if there's a natural alternative to Botox. It gave me some options such as facial acupuncture, natural wrinkle relaxers (bakuchiol, argireline and aloe vera), a collagen-rich diet and noninvasive treatments like microcurrent devices and LED light therapy. I asked what the most natural cosmetic procedures are, and I got this list: To summarize, ChatGPT suggested three top nontox treatments based on my photos: It's handy to be able to use AI to get a sense of how I'll age, then put it into a chatbot to talk through preventive strategies. While AI image generators might be way off, it can help with the decisions I make now in how I care for my skin and hair -- though you should definitely speak to a dermatologist before making any decisions. Maybe I just need to age with dignity and change my mindset, not my face. Hopefully by the time I'm 60, society will have caught up to the fact that there's beauty to celebrate at every age.

CNET

Wed, 18 Dec, 2:13 PM UTC

Selfies reveal your 'face age' and subtle signs about your health - Earth.com

What if a selfie could tell you something more than just how your hair looks today? What if selfies could reveal your biological age, regardless of the number of candles on your last birthday cake? The "face age" test from selfies is a type of AI-powered analysis that estimates a person's age based on facial features in a photo, and it's making waves in the medical community. "Face age" is more than a novel idea - it's becoming a tool for making critical medical decisions. In some cases, it has influenced cancer treatment plans and even predicted patient survival rates. Dr. Raymond Mak, a radiation oncologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, recently demonstrated the power of this technology. Dr. Mak treated Lou Magelaner, a 90-year-old lung cancer patient, who appeared much younger than his age. Relying on his intuition and the AI-driven tool FaceAge, Dr. Mak confirmed his assessment. When he uploaded Magelaner's photo, the tool estimated his biological age to be 66. This result reinforced Dr. Mak's confidence in pursuing a treatment plan designed for younger patients. "My gut was like, he's more like a 70-year-old," said Dr. Mak. After several weeks of radiation therapy, the treatment proved successful. The FaceAge tool analyzes facial features using an AI model trained on thousands of images. By detecting subtle signs of aging, it offers insights into a person's health. Preliminary research suggests cancer patients often look biologically older than their actual age. This "older appearance" might correlate with earlier mortality, helping doctors refine treatment decisions. FaceAge isn't alone in this space. Consumer versions of such tools are already available online. For instance, Novos, a company focused on longevity, provides a free test that examines wrinkles, eye condition, and other facial features to estimate biological age. Over 300,000 people have tried it, including Novos CEO Chris Mirabile, who uses it as a motivation for healthier living. Artificial intelligence is being steadily integrated into healthcare. Beyond FaceAge, AI tools are detecting conditions like Parkinson's disease from facial scans and identifying Covid-19 on X-rays. "These digital tools aim to enhance clinical intuition," noted Dr. Mak. In his study, FaceAge even outperformed doctors in predicting cancer patient survival rates. Such advancements could guide treatment decisions or alert patients to seek medical attention. However, these tools remain primarily in research stages. Despite its promise, face-age technology isn't perfect. Training datasets often rely on images of wealthy individuals or celebrities, leading to potential biases. As a result, the technology may struggle to provide accurate results for underrepresented racial groups. Factors like poor lighting, low image quality, and cosmetic procedures can also skew predictions. Additionally, ethical concerns surround its use in clinical settings. Patients identified as biologically "older" may face unconscious biases from doctors, potentially impacting their care. Nicole Martinez-Martin, a bioethics expert at Stanford University, warns about these risks. "Patients flagged by these tools might receive less attention," she noted, which could lead to unequal treatment outcomes. While the technology is still evolving, the potential of tools like FaceAge is undeniable. Ultimately, these tools could play a crucial role in precision medicine, allowing doctors to make better-informed decisions for individual patients. Further studies aim to refine the algorithms, ensuring more inclusive and accurate predictions. Researchers like Jing-Dong Jackie Han at Peking University are exploring how specific facial changes, such as drooping eyes or shrinking foreheads, correlate with age and health. Some studies even suggest that youthful-looking individuals might have younger blood, linking biological age to overall health. Consumer-friendly tools like those from Novos show how face-age technology could extend beyond clinics. By highlighting areas of improvement, these tools could encourage individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles. Mirabile believes this feedback can act as a wake-up call for users. "It's a great way to measure and motivate change," he said. As AI continues to evolve, tools like FaceAge may redefine healthcare. They could offer insights into aging, help combat diseases, and support healthier living. While challenges remain, the promise of "face age" lies in its ability to merge cutting-edge technology with personal and clinical applications. With further refinement, it might soon become a vital tool in both medicine and everyday life. -- - Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.

Earth.com

Sat, 28 Dec, 6:02 PM UTC

I used Meta AI to enhance my selfies -- here's how to try it

I have an embarrassing number of photos on my phone. Between breakfast and the time my kids leave for school, I must take about 25 pictures on average of them doing something silly, cute, or memorable enough that I want to document the moment. I don't deny that I'm a photo hoarder. But sometimes the photos don't always come out as expected. Sometimes, a laundry basket takes center stage, a neighbor kid pops up in the background, or a spaghetti stain is too obvious on my toddler's pants. That's where Meta AI photo editing comes into play. Meta has introduced advanced AI-driven tools designed to enhance and personalize photos and selfies across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. These features, such as the "Imagine Me" tool and AI-powered photo editing capabilities, offer users innovative ways to transform their images with ease. This time, I'm pushing my habit of taking photos of other people aside and using Meta AI to enhance my own selfies. With so many images to choose from and a world of creative possibilities, I couldn't wait to dive in and see what Meta AI could do. Getting started with Meta's AI photo editing Meta's AI photo editing tools are designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible for both novices and seasoned photo enthusiasts. All you need is your imagination and some fun prompts. To access the feature simply log in to your preferred Meta platform (such as Instagram) and navigate to the chat or story section. From there, upload your selfie and get ready to interact with Meta. You can touch up your appearance If you don't like the color of your glasses, lipstick, or the shirt you're wearing. Ask Meta AI to make some adjustments. In my case, I wanted to have some fun, so I asked for hot pink glasses and lipstick. At first, the AI only created hot pink glasses, so I had to go back and ask it to add lipstick, too. You can try a variety of prompts, from adding bangs or changing the color of your hair to a complete wardrobe change. Change the narrative In this next image, I asked Meta AI to change the image almost entirely by adding a piano instead of a drum set. While it tried, Meta AI failed to completely hide the drum set here, making it somewhat of an AI fail. However, if I really wanted to, I could ask Meta AI to clean up the image or even use another photo editing tool such as Apple Intelligence to clean up the picture. Overall, I would give this a C-Plus, because the piano is sized appropriately, which is something AI doesn't always get right. Yet, the drum kit is still visible, so this edited didn't completely make the grade. Accessorize the image Perhaps my favorite image in this experiment, Meta AI changed a traditional selfie of me flashing the peace sign into a tropical one by adding a parrot. I was surprised by how realistic my fingers look and how the parrot seemed to effortlessly fit into the image as if it was there the whole time. Meta AI wins for this image. Changing the scene A simple errand to the store looks anything but normal when Meta AI changed the scene. I asked it to make it look like I was driving a spaceship, and it did not disappoint. Although I've never been inside a spaceship, what Meta AI came up with seems to be pretty realistic, and you'd hardly guess this was an edit. Doing the impossible Meta AI took a normal photo of me jumping on our backyard trampoline and turned it into an epic stunt. The obvious fail here is that I prompted Meta AI to make it look like I'm jumping over a Cybertruck, and it gave me what looks like a regular vehicle. Other than that and the AI leaving the instructions for the trampoline visible, this was another fun picture. Advanced editing capabilities Beyond basic edits like the ones I prompted, Meta AI offers advanced functionalities that provide users with greater creative control over their images. For example, you can do object manipulation by asking the AI to remove elements from your photo. From a lamp post in the background to a stranger, you can remove anything you don't want and add what you do want (perhaps a sunset on the horizon). You can also change the style of the images. Just tell Meta AI to transform your photo into a watercolor painting or add a comic book effect and it will. Tips for optimal results For the best results, you're going to want to be as specific and detailed as possible with your prompts. In your instructions to Meta AI, be sure your prompts are clear to achieve the desired outcome. Also, use high-resolution images with good lighting to enhance AI processing. Don't hesitate to experiment with a variety of prompts and styles to fully explore Meta AI's suite of capabilities. Meta's AI-powered photo editing features empower users to creatively enhance their selfies with minimal effort. By integrating these tools into daily social media interactions, you can produce personalized and engaging content that reflects your unique style and imagination. More from Tom's Guide

Tom's Guide

Wed, 8 Jan, 10:40 AM UTC

How to Get a New Headshot Using AI

Amanda Smith is a freelance journalist and writer. She reports on culture, society, human interest and technology. Her stories hold a mirror to society, reflecting both its malaise and its beauty. Amanda's work has been published in National Geographic, The Guardian, Business Insider, Vice, News Corp, Singapore Airlines, Travel + Leisure, and Food & Wine. Amanda is an Australian living in the cultural center of gravity that is New York City. I'm a sucker for selfies, but getting glammed up for a photoshoot can zap the personality right out of me. I overthink how to smile and stand, and turn into Chandler. My last shoot was directed by a photographer, but that was five years ago. It's time for a new headshot. But this time, I didn't have the colorful streets of Antigua, Guatemala, as my backdrop. With no trips coming up, I decided to test out an artificial intelligence tool with a goal in mind: to generate a new headshot or set of professional images that looked real, not like a caricature of me. I chose HeadshotPro because I liked the natural look of the photos, it seemed like a popular tool and I realized I follow its founder -- AI entrepreneur Danny Postma -- on X. It was founded in the Netherlands in March 2023 and is used used by many well-known global brands and institutions. HeadshotPro's pricing is a three-tier structure: 40 headshots for $29, 100 headshots for $39 or 200 headshots for $59. I actually liked that it's a paid platform because there always seems to be a catch with free tools. There's also a 1- to 3-hour turnaround with HeadshotPro, which might not work for everyone, but I was curious about why it wasn't instant and what it could produce. There are no free trials or subscription fees. It's a one-off cost, but it will refund the fee if you're unsatisfied with the results. I signed up to HeadshotPro and set my login details. I chose the basic $29 plan and paid with my credit card. I checked my email for the instructions. HeadshotPro guaranteed I'd find three to six profile-worthy headshots. The tool advises you to have at least 10 minutes to work on it and to "make sure you look fresh" and take pictures in daylight or in a well-lit room. You then have to upload at least 15 photos for the AI to examine. You can either take new selfies to use or upload some of your older photos. It suggests making sure you're looking at the camera, have a clean background and a good angle, have your face take up at least 20% of the image, and be wearing a "professional expression." I was in no state to take selfies, so I opted to upload a mix of photos from my last shoot and recent candid snaps. Different seasons, styles, hair colors and locations. Out of the 15 I uploaded, only one was approved. It was hard to decipher why, so I decided to upload one at a time. When I cropped the larger photos to just my head, it seemed to work. Most of the candid photos were either too small or it couldn't recognize my full face because of the way I had tilted my head. I found a shortcut: In my iPhone albums, under People, Places & Pets, I clicked on my face. If Apple's AI can recognize my face in the photos, surely HeadshotPro could too. There was a lack of consistency with what it determined to be a "bad" photo. My full face was showing in some photos, but they still weren't approved. I also learned my camera roll is full of photos of me in sunglasses, and I always tilt my head when I pose. A good reminder to work on my posture. But we got there in the end. Next, onto the customization. HeadshotPro needed to know a little more about me, then my layout preferences. It asked for my name, age, ethnicity, eye color and gender and then whether I wanted the background of my profile photo to be garden, marina, office, lake, cafe, kitchen, streets or bookshelf. I could choose my portrait style or have the AI select for me. You can also choose from a few different outfit types -- it picked a turtleneck, which I don't think I've ever worn in my life, so I chose one myself. I selected the one that looked like New York City in the background, then got to pick my outfit. I was looking for a bohemian-but-professional style. I didn't dare trust AI to put me in an off-the-shoulder dress, so I went with a classic white tee. I quickly looked at HeadshotPro's T&Cs and noticed they don't use the photos to train their algorithm. Good to see! Now we wait. It said it would take approximately 2 hours, but I received the email with the completed photos in just over an hour. I was slightly nervous to see what AI thought I looked like, but I was pleasantly surprised with its capabilities. Of the photos I liked (about half of them), it nailed my features. But it got right the crow's feet when I smile (too much time in the Aussie sun growing up), my balayage hair and even my favorite shades of lipstick. There were definitely a few wonky ones, as to be expected. It overdid the bronzer, was inconsistent with my eye color, made me gaunt and overly wrinkly, and had awful style in some. I asked my partner which ones she thought looked like me and we picked 17. When I showed her this photo, she said, "that's my girl." Would I use this image as my headshot? Probably not. However, if you do, it's good practice to label photos that have been altered or assembled by AI. No matter how good these tools get, I know it's not me. Call me old-fashioned, but I think we should keep photos real, imperfections and all. Now this is me -- a photo taken by my photographer friend, not manipulated by a machine. I'm sure she made a joke to get that shot.

CNET

Fri, 14 Feb, 4:31 PM UTC

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