If there’s one application that has long stood as a bastion of simplicity in the digital art world, it’s MS Paint. For over four decades, this classic painting tool has remained a staple of Windows, cherished for its straightforward functionality amid a sea of increasingly complex digital art programs. However, the landscape is shifting as generative AI begins to weave its way into even the most unassuming of applications.
Generative AI Takes Center Stage
With the integration of the Copilot chatbot into Windows, generative AI is becoming ubiquitous across the platform. Microsoft has already introduced Cocreator in Paint, allowing users to transform sketches into images. Now, the company is expanding its capabilities with a new feature called Restyle, which enables users to reimagine existing images in various artistic styles, such as ‘pop art’—a term some might humorously refer to as ‘AI slop.’
Currently being rolled out for Windows Insiders in Paint version 11.2509.441.0, Restyle allows users to apply preset styles to existing images. This feature will be accessible through Paint’s Copilot menu, enabling users to either incorporate the generated images into their Paint canvas or save them as separate files. A recent blog post showcased a whimsical reinterpretation of 19th-century marine art, purportedly rendered as pop art.
While Cocreator required some level of artistic input from the user, the Restyle feature appears more focused on transforming images sourced from the internet, raising questions about the ethical implications of image appropriation. The tools may seem rudimentary—far from the sophisticated offerings found in other applications—but they could provide a playful outlet for families and children. It’s a safer alternative to more complex AI tools, yet one must wonder if this feature was truly in demand.
Despite a recent overhaul that introduced new brushes and layer support, Restyle feels somewhat like a gimmick, a response to the broader trend of integrating AI into creative tools. For now, however, it seems that this feature will only be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, leaving many users on traditional systems waiting in the wings.
