To date, most digital image and video editing tools have been canvas-centric. Advances in artificial intelligence, however, have started a shift toward more object-centric workflows. Luke Wroblewski several examples of this transition.

It can change an object on a photo with precise control over where pixels go, thus manipulating the pose, shape, expression, and layout of diverse categories such as animals, cars, humans, landscapes, etc.

Unreal engine add-on lets you generate realistic humans. You get a detailed 3D model in motion.

Another Sensei experiment that puts graphic assets on top of raster packaging mockups. See more MAX 2022 announces (Instant Add, Magnetic Type, Motion Mix and Made in the Shade are the best).

The tool draws with semantic brushes that produce or remove units such as trees, brick-texture, or domes.

Researchers from NVIDIA introduced a deep learning method that can edit images or reconstruct a corrupted image, one that has holes or is missing pixels.

Another Sensei experiment that selects and tracks an object in a video. I.e. you can put a text behind a dancer. See more MAX 2018 announces (Smooth Operator and Good Bones are the best).

Photoshop added another content-aware feature — it replaces a whole part of a photo with a relevant piece from Adobe Stock collection. No need for intense retouching anymore. Another experiment is Project Cloak which replaces objects on videos. See more MAX 2017 announces based on Adobe Sensei platform (Puppetron and PhysicsPak are the best).

2016 release of Photoshop has a content-aware feature that intelligently fills in the gaps when you use the cropping tool to rotate an image or expand the canvas beyond the image’s original size.