Microsoft Tests AI‑Powered Animation and Generative Edit Features in Windows Paint
Key Points
- Microsoft is testing two AI features in Paint: "Animate" and "Generative Edit".
- "Animate" creates short animations from images or sketches without a text prompt.
- "Generative Edit" applies complex visual changes based on a simple textual description.
- Both tools are part of the Windows AI Labs program and available only to select Windows Insiders.
- Early demos show promising results but also occasional inconsistencies and oddities.
- The animation model is built internally by Microsoft, not sourced from third parties.
- Paint already includes other AI capabilities like "Cocreator" and is becoming more feature‑rich.
- Microsoft may extend similar AI enhancements to other Windows apps, such as Photos.
Microsoft is experimenting with two new artificial‑intelligence capabilities inside the Windows Paint app. The "Animate" feature lets users turn a static image or sketch into a short animation without needing a prompt, while the "Generative Edit" tool applies complex edits through a simple text query. Both functions are being trialed through the Windows AI Labs program, available only to select Windows Insider testers. Early demonstrations show promising results but also occasional oddities, highlighting the experimental nature of the tools. The additions signal a broader shift toward richer AI integration across Microsoft’s default Windows apps.
AI Experiments Arrive in Paint
Microsoft is expanding the capabilities of its long‑standing Paint application by testing two artificial‑intelligence features through the Windows AI Labs program. The first, called "Animate," allows a user to select an existing image or a hand‑drawn sketch and have the AI generate a short animation from it. The process requires no textual prompt; the model decides the direction of the animation on its own.
The second feature, named "Generative Edit," lets users describe a complex visual change in a single line of text. The AI then applies that edit to the image, delivering results such as turning a simple banana picture into a scene described as a "fruit jungle." This mirrors the style of recent generative‑AI tools that perform sophisticated edits from concise commands.
Testing Phase and Access
Both features are currently in a testing stage and are part of the Windows AI Labs initiative, which serves as a proving ground for experimental AI functionality. Access to these tools is limited to Windows Insiders who receive an invitation within Paint. The program is rolling out invitations selectively, meaning that most users must wait or join the Insider program to experience the new capabilities.
Performance and Limitations
Early demonstrations show that the AI can produce recognizable animations and effective edits, but the results are not always consistent. For example, an animation of a cartoon character may start well and then deviate into unexpected motions as it progresses. Similarly, while the "Generative Edit" can successfully transform a simple image into a more elaborate scene, the quality of the output can vary depending on the complexity of the request.
Microsoft notes that the animation model is built in‑house, rather than relying on third‑party technology. This internal development underscores the company’s broader strategy of embedding its own AI models across Windows applications.
Implications for Windows Apps
The introduction of AI features into Paint reflects a larger trend of enriching default Windows apps with advanced functionality. Paint already includes other AI tools, such as "Cocreator," and the addition of "Animate" and "Generative Edit" suggests a shift away from the app’s original purpose as a basic drawing utility. Microsoft’s roadmap hints that similar AI enhancements may eventually appear in other native apps, with Photos identified as a likely next candidate.
These developments illustrate Microsoft’s willingness to make its core Windows experiences more complex and capable, even if that means moving traditional utilities like Paint and Notepad into a more feature‑rich, AI‑driven era.