Adobe unveils AI assistants and agent integrations at Max 2026

What happened

At its Max 2026 conference in Miami, Adobe introduced new AI assistants and agent features across its suite of creative software, including Photoshop, Premiere, and Adobe Express. The company previewed integrations that allow third-party AI agents from providers like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic to edit Creative Cloud projects directly on users' devices. Adobe also addressed a $75 million settlement with the US Justice Department over subscription cancellation practices. CEO Shantanu Narayen announced he will step down in December, with Anil Chakravarthy named as his successor.

Key details

• AI assistants and agent features are being added to Photoshop, Premiere, Adobe Express, Firefly, and other apps.
• Third-party AI agents will be able to automate and edit projects locally via the Local Model Context Protocol (MCP), with a private beta expected in early 2027.
• Firefly AI Assistant is gaining new capabilities, including Plan Mode, Model Selector, and expanded customization options.
• "Always-on" agents can automate recurring creative tasks in the background, such as asset organization and content preparation.
• Adobe settled a $75 million case with the US Justice Department and announced a leadership change effective December.

Why it matters

Creative professionals and businesses using Adobe software will soon be able to automate more tasks and integrate third-party AI agents directly into their workflows, potentially reducing manual work and speeding up project turnaround. The upcoming private beta for local agent integrations gives users more flexibility in choosing AI tools. Adobe's leadership change and legal settlement may also affect company operations and customer policies in the near future.