New AI app promises to transform all your bad selfies into good ones

One of its tools allows users to instantly mimic the lighting, effects and style of another photo

Researchers from Adobe and Cornell University call the feature 'deep photo style transfer' (YouTube/Adobe Creative Cloud)

Adobe has shown off a smartphone app that uses artificial intelligence to drastically improve selfies.

The company’s Sensei branch, which focuses on AI and machine learning, released a teaser video showing a user transforming an ordinary picture with a range of advanced editing tools.

One of these alters the depth of field, while another tool, called Liquify, makes the picture look like it was taken from a more flattering angle.

A third feature allows users to easily mimic the lighting and effects used in another photo.

In the teaser, the user browses through random images and opens two he likes, proceeding to experiment with the the different styles by applying them to a picture of himself in his camera roll.

Researchers from Adobe and Cornell University recently released a paper detailing this feature, which they call “deep photo style transfer”.

Though Adobe hasn’t attached a name to the app or even confirmed whether or not it’s real, the demonstration of deep photo style transfer suggests the teaser is showing off an actual product that the company has in the works.

“Great portrait photography requires the right perspective, equipment, and editing expertise,” wrote the Adobe Creative Cloud team in the video’s description. “But what happens when we tap into the power of artificial intelligence and deep learning to transform bad portrait shots into good ones – all on a smartphone?

“By combining perspective effect editing, automatic, software-only photo masking, and photo style transfer technology, we’re able to transform a typical selfie into a flattering portrait with a pleasing depth-of-field effect that can also replicate the style of another portrait photo.”

Earlier this year, the company announced significant price rises for Creative Cloud users in the UK.

“You may be aware that currency exchange rates have fluctuated significantly over the last few years,” the company told customers via email.

“As a result of recent changes in exchange rates in your region, the price of Adobe products and services is increasing starting on 6 March 2017.”