Adobe adds prompt-based editing and AI summaries to Acrobat

Adobe is integrating generative artificial intelligence into Acrobat, its PDF software. The company is adding several new AI capabilities to the platform, which include the ability to generate podcast summaries of files, build presentations from existing documents, and edit files directly using text prompts.

The presentation feature leverages PDF Spaces, a feature Adobe launched last year as a collaborative environment where multiple users can access a shared collection of files and notes. Under the new update, users can utilize the information stored within these files and notes to generate presentations via text prompts. For example, a user with financial details, product plans, and competitor analysis stored in a Space can prompt the system to build a client pitch deck. Acrobat’s AI assistant first generates an editable presentation outlining the points the deck would cover. Users can then customize the slides using Adobe Express, utilizing its theme library, stock photos, or their own images to apply brand themes and edit individual slides.

Additionally, Acrobat is introducing prompt-based document editing. Users can execute 12 specific actions using text prompts to modify their files. These actions include:

• Removing pages, text, comments, and images from the document
• Finding and replacing specific words and phrases
• Adding e-signatures and passwords to secure the files

Acrobat already featured sharing capabilities through Spaces, but the update enhances collaboration by housing AI-generated summaries directly within shared files. These summaries feature citations pointing to the exact location of the source information in the file, allowing contributors to verify the generated points.

These updates position Adobe against a growing list of competitors offering similar document-to-presentation and audio features. While platforms like Canva and Google’s NotebookLM already offer document-to-presentation conversion, newer startups are also developing tools to generate presentations by tapping various sources. Similarly, the new podcast summary feature, which converts files or Spaces into audio summaries, competes with personalized audio tools such as NotebookLM, Speechify, and ElevenLabs’ Reader app, which let users create personalized podcasts using notes and documents.

Why it matters

Adobe is integrating generative AI into its core document software to defend its market position against specialized competitors like Canva and NotebookLM. By turning static PDFs into interactive hubs for presentations, audio summaries, and prompt-based editing, the company aims to keep business users within its ecosystem.