ADOBE FIREFLY’S NEW VIDEO FEATURE: GAME CHANGER? OR JUST ANOTHER AI
The AI-powered video revolution just got a new player. Adobe Firefly, known for its seamless integration into the Creative Cloud suite, has unveiled its generative AI video model, promising creatives an easier way to generate motion designs and cinematic effects with just a few prompts. But is it the groundbreaking innovation we’ve been waiting for—or just another tool that leaves us longing for MidJourney-level sophistication? Let’s break it down.
HYPE VS. THE REALITY
First things first: Firefly’s AI video tool is slick. It lets users create dynamic scenes from text or image prompts, tweak camera angles, and craft motion graphics—all within Adobe’s familiar interface. If you’re already knee-deep in Premiere Pro and After Effects, this seems like a no-brainer.
However, as Jessica Walsh’s sponsored Instagram reel for Adobe suggested, the tool is being positioned as a game-changer for creatives. That’s some strong marketing—but does it hold up?
From our hands-on experience? The results were… fine. Not quite MidJourney-level stunning, not as advanced as Sora or RunwayML, but decent. The biggest plot twist? After generating one iteration, Firefly wants you to cough up more cash. Yes, even if you already pay for Adobe Creative Suite.
$9.99/month for 20 clips? $29.99 for 70? The internet is already side-eyeing this pricing model.
"Wait, I already pay Adobe a small mortgage every month for Creative Cloud—why am I being charged again?"
is a sentiment being echoed across creative forums and Twitter (sorry, X). Interestingly, Jessica Walsh’s post promoting Firefly saw a wave of negative comments—many of which were promptly deleted. One user reportedly commented, "Hey Jessica, how about we support the creative industry and hire them..." but that was swiftly removed. The controversy has only fueled the debate about whether AI tools should supplement or replace human creatives
Video from @jessicawalsh
HOW DOES FIREFLY COMPARE TO THE AI VIDEO BOG LEAGUES?
Let’s talk competition. Firefly is stepping into an arena already occupied by heavy hitters:
RunwayML: Known for its sophisticated AI-generated videos with more control over aesthetics and animation.
MidJourney (if they go full video): The gold standard of AI-generated imagery, which—let’s be honest—most designers prefer for high-quality outputs.
Sora (OpenAI): The mysterious beast on the horizon, rumored to deliver next-level AI-powered video creation.
Right now, Firefly's main flex is its deep Adobe integration. You don’t need to juggle multiple tools or workflows—it’s all within Creative Cloud, making it easier for motion designers and video editors to experiment.
But in terms of output? It’s more of a strong “meh” than a mind-blowing revelation.
INDUSTRY REACTIONS: A LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP
"Firefly is cool, but it’s like ordering a Wagyu steak and getting a well-done burger—technically meat, but not what I signed up for,"
says motion designer David Ariew, known for his work in 3D motion graphics and AI-driven video production.
Criticism of AI Mechanization: “From my perspective, it is perplexing to see an artist of your caliber endorsing a tool that mechanizes artistic production, effortlessly replicating patterns to feed the hyper-dopaminergic cycle of content consumption.”
Concerns About Adobe’s AI Ethics: “I admire you, but Adobe hasn’t exactly proven to be responsible when it comes to AI.”
Jessica Walsh’s Response: “Everyone cried in the same horror when the computer and computer graphics software were invented, but alas, designers are thriving more than ever… My belief is AI will become an essential part of our creative process no matter how much we object to it.”
A Broader Concern About Creativity Loss: “The loss of so much of the process and craft is really a massive loss, not to mention the environmental impacts.”
THE VERTICT: SHOULD YOU SUBSCRIBE?
Here’s the TL;DR for busy creatives:
✅ Pros:
Seamless integration into Adobe’s Creative Cloud
AI-powered video generation is fun to play with
Great for motion designers who need quick, simple animations
❌ Cons:
Subscription model feels like a cash grab
Video quality doesn’t match MidJourney or RunwayML (yet)
Not enough iterations before hitting a paywall
Final thought? If you’re already an Adobe subscriber and want AI tools that work within your existing workflow, Firefly might be worth the extra ten bucks a month. But if you’re looking for the best AI video generation, it might not be time to cancel your MidJourney or RunwayML subscriptions just yet.
Now, if Adobe could just stop making us pay twice for everything, that would be chef’s kiss perfection.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The AI creative space is evolving FAST. OpenAI’s Sora is lurking in the shadows, MidJourney is rumored to be cooking up video capabilities, and RunwayML keeps leveling up. Will Firefly keep up? Only time will tell.
For now, let’s just hope Adobe doesn’t start charging us per brush stroke in Photoshop next. (Don’t get any ideas, Adobe.)
What do you think? Have you tried Firefly’s video feature? Love it? Hate it? Let’s chat in the comments.