Static PDFs are gaining momentum. Adobe has introduced new AI features in Acrobat that let you edit documents with simple language prompts and convert long PDFs into full-fledged slide presentations in minutes. There’s even a podcast skill that turns reports into listenable summaries so you can absorb the material on the go.
These features are built into “Adobe Acrobat Studio”, a new layer that combines traditional PDF controls with generative artificial intelligence and tighter integration with “Adobe Express”. One of the key tools, Generate Presentation, analyzes the structure and content of a document, creating a logical structure and an editable set of slides built using Express templates. Instead of starting with a blank canvas, users start with existing material and then enhance it visually or structurally as needed.
Notably, the Generate Podcast feature solves a problem familiar to anyone who struggles with long documents. Instead of reading on screen, users can ask Acrobat to summarize one or more files and convert that output into audio that plays back as a short podcast. The feature is meant to be a way to consume dense material while commuting or multitasking, allowing you to focus on the most important points or delve into specific parts.
In addition to format conversion, the update greatly enhances conversational control. Users can now edit PDFs by entering plain language commands, such as removing pages, reordering sections, or applying security settings. These actions are performed through an AI-powered conversational interface that also handles common tasks like compression, annotation, and search, reducing the need to navigate layered menus.
Collaboration is another pillar of the update. A shared workspace called “PDF Spaces” allows teams to collect documents, links, and notes in one place, then ask an AI assistant to provide insights or generate new results from that material. In practice, this means a group can combine research, planning documents, and data, then quickly create a customized presentation or summary from the entire collection.
By incorporating generative artificial intelligence into one of the oldest formats, Adobe aims to make the traditional PDF format more fluid and useful for modern knowledge work.
Credits:
All images courtesy of Adobe.
