Apple Puts Realism Over Fantasy in AI Photo Editing

Photo editing on smartphones is getting a lot of attention, especially when it comes to AI. Many people are wondering where the line is drawn between a photo and an editing job. Apple, known for its focus on accuracy, is taking a different path with its AI tools compared to competitors like Samsung and Google. With iOS 18. 1, Apple is launching its suite of AI tools called Apple Intelligence. One of the key features is Clean Up in the Photos app, which can erase people and objects from images. During an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple's Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, explained that Apple wants to keep photos realistic, rather than generating fantasy elements like Google's Reimagine can.Federighi believes that removing items like water bottles from a photo is helpful, as these were present when the photo was taken. He noted that there's a demand for cleaning up minor details that don't change the core meaning of the photo. However, Apple draws the line at adding unrealistic elements. The advancement of generative AI has made it trickier to spot fakes, which is why Apple chose a different path. They are cautious about altering history and want people to trust that photos are a reflection of reality. Even Apple's Image Playground, which lets users create images with themes and accessories, doesn't produce photorealistic results to avoid confusion. Apple tags edited photos with Clean Up in the Photos app, making it clear that the image has been modified. This approach contrasts with Samsung, which, in response to criticism, said there's no such thing as a real picture.