Podcast Summary: The Last Invention is AI
Episode: Firefly Adds Prompt-Driven Video
Date: December 24, 2025
Host: The Last Invention is AI
Overview
This episode explores the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven video editing, focusing on Adobe Firefly’s new support for prompt-driven video edits and integration with third-party AI models. The host breaks down Adobe’s advances, compares them to competitors (like OpenAI and Google), and considers what these innovations mean for both users and the wider industry.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Competitive Landscape in AI Video (00:00–01:20)
- Adobe Firefly’s update: Now includes prompt-based video editing, third-party AI model support, and an expanded video editor.
- Industry movement: The space is heating up, with OpenAI’s new image/video models, the arrival of Sora, and developments from Google and startup Nano Banana (VO video editor).
- Quote (00:15):
“There’s a ton of cool stuff that’s going on with Adobe and this is as the competition is really heating up from a lot of other players.”
2. What’s New in Adobe Firefly (01:21–03:50)
- Prompt-Driven Editing: Users can issue commands like “change the color of this person’s hair to purple” directly on existing videos, thanks to the new interface.
- Third-Party Models Added:
- Black Forest Labs (notably used by Grok on X, Elon Musk’s company)
- Flux 2
- Topaz Astra (upscaling)
- Open Ecosystem: Adobe is integrating its system with APIs from other providers, echoing the host’s own platform, AI Box.
- Quote (02:10):
“When it came out, I think [Black Forest Labs] is probably slipping behind some of the latest updates and announcements from Google and OpenAI. But I think they’re scheduled for a new release...”
3. Prompt-Based Video Editing Breakthroughs (03:51–05:25)
- Enhanced Editing: Before, Firefly required regenerating entire clips for changes; now, targeted edits (color, camera angle, sky, etc.) are possible with short text prompts.
- Timeline View: Allows for easy adjustment of frames, sound, and video characteristics.
- Runway’s alpha model integration: Enables commands like “change the sky to overcast and lower the contrast,” and genuine digital zooms rather than simple cropping.
- Quote (04:40):
“It’s not just, you know, cropping in on the video and zooming in. It’s literally regenerating it with a zoom. So the quality is still at 100%.”
4. Flexibility, Collaboration, and Upscaling (05:26–07:55)
- Multiple model choices: Users can toggle between Runway, Black Forest Labs, or Adobe’s own model for best results.
- Camera Motion Recreation: Upload a reference for camera motion and apply it to your own content—an advanced feature for creators.
- Topaz Labs Astra integration: Upscales videos to 1080p or 4K, bridging the gap between creation and high-fidelity output.
- Collaborative Boards: Flex 2 image model becomes available for group projects; immediate rollout in Firefly, with Adobe Express integration forthcoming in January.
- Quote (06:40):
“It kind of makes it so like on an image or a video, you could go from seeing like the actual detail in a piece of cloth versus just like seeing the outline of what’s going on.”
5. Adobe’s Strategic Moves and Market Position (07:56–09:45)
- Subscription Model: Flexible tiers enable access for different power-user levels; unlimited generation for Firefly Pro/Premium users until January 15th.
- Aggressive Rollouts: 2024 saw subscriptions, a web app, mobile apps, and rapid adoption of third-party models.
- Incumbent Power: The host asserts confidence in Adobe’s prospects, citing their rich SaaS user base and responsiveness to competition from companies like Canva.
- Quote (08:30):
“I would not bet against Adobe. I think they’re going to do quite well. They already have all the distribution of all their kind of core legacy SaaS products, and now that they’re adding AI... it’s going to just streamline the process.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Third-party models: “Black Forest Labs is a great model... kind of became famous for being the model that Grok on X and Elon Musk choose to power the image generation model on X.” (02:15)
- Genuine Video Regeneration: “When you say like zoom in, it’s not just... cropping in... it’s regenerating it with a zoom. So the quality is still at 100%.” (04:40)
- Upscaling Impact: “You could go from seeing like the actual detail in a piece of cloth versus just... the outline...” (06:40)
Key Segment Timestamps
- 00:00–01:20: Overview of competition and AI video landscape
- 01:21–03:50: Firefly’s new features and third-party integrations
- 03:51–05:25: Technical details of new prompt-based video editing
- 05:26–07:55: Flexible model choices, camera motion features, upscaling, and collaboration
- 07:56–09:45: Subscriptions, mobile/web rollout, and Adobe’s strategic industry position
Conclusion
This episode deftly walks the listener through the most consequential advancements in AI-powered video editing, highlighting Adobe’s new Firefly capabilities, its embrace of third-party AI, and the broader competitive context. The host makes a persuasive case for Adobe’s strong positioning and its forward-thinking strategies, concluding that the company is well positioned for the future—even as the pace of innovation accelerates.