Edit PDFs with AI prompts & summarize podcasts in Adobe Acrobat
▼ Summary
– Adobe is adding new AI tools to Acrobat, including features to generate podcast summaries, create presentations, and edit files using prompts.
– A key new feature allows users to build presentations from files and notes stored in Adobe Spaces by using simple text prompts.
– The AI assistant in Acrobat can generate an editable presentation, which users can then customize using Adobe Express’s design tools and brand themes.
– Adobe is also enabling users to create AI-generated podcast summaries of files, a feature that competes with similar offerings from other companies.
– Acrobat’s new editing capabilities allow users to perform over a dozen actions on files through prompts, such as removing content or adding e-signatures.
Adobe continues to expand its suite of AI-powered tools, with significant new capabilities arriving in Acrobat. Users can now leverage artificial intelligence to edit PDFs through simple text prompts, generate concise podcast summaries from documents, and create full presentations directly from stored content. These features aim to streamline complex workflows, transforming static files into dynamic, actionable assets with minimal effort.
A key enhancement involves Adobe Spaces, the collaborative workspace introduced last year. The platform now allows teams to synthesize information from various files and notes within a Space to build professional presentations. For example, a collection containing financial data, product roadmaps, and competitive research can be instantly transformed into a client-ready pitch deck. The AI assistant first drafts an editable outline of key points. Users can then design the slides using Adobe Express, applying brand themes, selecting from a library of stock imagery, or incorporating custom visuals.
This functionality enters a competitive field. Other platforms, including Canva and Google’s NotebookLM, already offer document-to-presentation conversion. Several newer startups are also exploring AI-driven presentation creation from disparate sources.
Another innovative addition is the ability to generate audio podcast summaries for any document or Space. This feature converts text into a spoken-word overview, providing an alternative way to consume lengthy reports or research. Similar audio capabilities exist in tools like Speechify, ElevenLabs’ Reader app, and NotebookLM, highlighting a growing trend toward multimodal content digestion.
Perhaps one of the most practical updates is prompt-based PDF editing. Users can instruct Acrobat to perform a wide range of actions using natural language commands. Available functions include removing specific pages, text, comments, or images; finding and replacing words and phrases; and adding security elements like e-signatures and passwords. This moves document editing beyond manual tools toward an intuitive, conversational interface.
Sharing and collaboration also receive a boost. When files are shared from Spaces, they now include AI-generated summaries with precise citations, allowing recipients to quickly grasp key points and reference the original source material. Contributors can comment on shared documents and collaboratively add or remove content. Furthermore, users are not limited to a single AI helper. They can select from predefined assistant roles, such as “analyst,” “entertainer,” or “instructor”, or craft a custom assistant tailored to specific needs through a detailed prompt.
(Source: TechCrunch)
