AI Models Retired in Adobe Apps
Generative AI is changing the way designers create images, edit photographs, develop visual concepts and produce videos. Tools such as Adobe Firefly bring several AI-powered capabilities into creative workflows, and some Adobe products also offer access to models developed by other companies.
However, these models do not necessarily remain available forever.
Adobe has published a list of generative AI models being retired from its products, including models associated with Google, OpenAI, Runway, Moonvalley, Ideogram and Pika. The notice lists retirement dates from April to September 2026, with different status labels for different models.
For graphic designers, photographers, video editors and other creative professionals, understanding these changes is important. A model that was available during one project may no longer be available in the same way later.
In this guide, we examine the models listed in Adobe’s retirement notice, explain the difference between deprecated and removed models, and share practical ways to prepare for changes in AI-powered creative workflows.
Editorial note: This article summarises Adobe’s model-retirement notice last updated on September 10, 2026. Model availability and status can change. Refer to Adobe’s official documentation for the latest information.
Why Does Adobe Retire Generative AI Models?
Adobe periodically updates the list of third-party generative AI models available through its products. According to its official documentation, models may be removed for several reasons:
- Low usage: A model may no longer receive enough use to justify continued availability.
- Quality concerns: A model may not continue to meet the provider’s or platform’s quality expectations.
- Contract expiry: Agreements between companies may expire or change.
- End of provider support: The company developing a model may discontinue or stop supporting it.
These changes are part of a wider reality of generative AI: the technology evolves quickly, and the models available today may not be the same models available in the future.
For designers, this means that learning a creative application alone is not enough. It is also useful to understand the underlying workflow and know how to adapt when a particular AI model changes.
Complete List of Models in Adobe’s 2026 Retirement Notice
The following table summarises the models, dates and status labels shown in Adobe’s published notice.
| Model name | Date listed | Status in the notice |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini 2.5 (Flash-Image/Nano Banana, Flash-Lite, Flash, Pro) | September 10, 2026 | Deprecated |
| Gemini 3 Flash Preview | September 10, 2026 | Deprecated |
| OpenAI Sora 2 | July 23, 2026 | Deprecated |
| Runway Aleph | July 23, 2026 | Deprecated |
| Runway Gen-3 Alpha Turbo | July 23, 2026 | Deprecated |
| Google Imagen 3 and Imagen 4 | June 11, 2026 | Deprecated |
| Google Veo 2.0 and Veo 3 (Standard, Fast) | June 11, 2026 | Deprecated |
| Marey by Moonvalley | June 11, 2026 | Deprecated |
| Ideogram | May 28, 2026 | Deprecated |
| Pika 2.2 | April 22, 2026 | Removed |
Important clarification: The dates and labels above reproduce the information in the cited Adobe notice. They should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every model became unavailable to every user on the stated date. Availability can depend on the product, feature, region and subsequent updates.
1. Google Gemini models
Adobe’s notice lists the following models:
- Gemini 2.5, including Flash-Image/Nano Banana, Flash-Lite, Flash and Pro
- Gemini 3 Flash Preview
Both entries are listed with a date of September 10, 2026, and the status Deprecated.
The notice also includes a specific note stating that Google is deprecating Gemini 2.5, including Nano Banana, starting October 2, 2026, while apps began removing the service from September 10.
This is an important example of why designers should check the exact model name and the relevant Adobe feature rather than assume that every version of a model family follows the same availability schedule.
2. OpenAI Sora and Runway video models
The notice lists three video-related models with a date of July 23, 2026:
- OpenAI Sora 2
- Runway Aleph
- Runway Gen-3 Alpha Turbo
All three are marked Deprecated.
Video creators often build workflows around particular generation, editing or transformation capabilities. If a model becomes unavailable within an application, a creator may need to test another available model or adjust the workflow.
This does not mean that the companies’ products or all their models have been discontinued. The notice concerns the named models in the context of Adobe products.
3. Google Imagen and Veo models
Adobe lists these models with a date of June 11, 2026:
- Google Imagen 3
- Google Imagen 4
- Google Veo 2.0
- Google Veo 3 (Standard and Fast)
These entries are marked Deprecated.
Imagen is associated with image generation, while Veo is associated with video generation. Their inclusion illustrates how the model options available inside a creative platform can change across different types of media.
Designers should therefore evaluate their actual production requirements—such as image quality, motion, composition, consistency and output suitability—rather than depend exclusively on a model’s name.
4. Marey by Moonvalley
Marey by Moonvalley is listed with a date of June 11, 2026, and the status Deprecated.
For video professionals, the practical lesson is straightforward: when an AI model is part of a regular production process, maintain a record of the tools and settings used, and test alternative workflows before a critical deadline.
5. Ideogram
Ideogram is listed with a date of May 28, 2026, and the status Deprecated.
Designers may use image-generation tools for concept development, visual exploration and other creative tasks. If a preferred model is no longer available through a particular application, it is worth evaluating the options that remain available and checking whether they satisfy the same requirements.
Do not assume that a retirement listing automatically means that the model has disappeared from every platform on which it may be offered.
6. Pika 2.2
Pika 2.2 is listed with a date of April 22, 2026, and the status Removed.
This is different from the Deprecated label used for the other entries in the notice.
The distinction matters because the two labels should not be treated as interchangeable. Always refer to Adobe’s current documentation when determining whether a specific model is still available.
Deprecated vs Removed: What Is the Difference?
Adobe’s notice uses two different status labels. For a designer, the safest approach is to read the exact status shown in the official documentation.
Deprecated indicates that a model has been designated for retirement or is no longer intended to remain a supported option in the same way. Depending on the announcement and implementation, it may still be accessible during a transition.
Removed indicates that the model is listed as having been removed from the relevant offering.
These terms do not establish the availability of the same model through a separate website or another application. A model’s availability within Adobe products and its availability through its original provider are separate questions.
When planning a project, check the current status rather than relying on an older screenshot, tutorial or saved workflow.
What Should Designers Do When an AI Model Is Retired?
The retirement of a model does not have to disrupt a creative project if your workflow is designed to accommodate change.
1. Check the current model options
Before starting a major project, review the available models in the Adobe application and feature you intend to use. Do not assume that a model shown in an older tutorial is still available.
2. Test alternatives before a deadline
If a particular model is important to your workflow, test suitable alternatives early. Compare the results against your actual brief rather than relying solely on demonstrations or promotional examples.
3. Keep your creative workflow flexible
Separate the creative objective from the tool used to achieve it.
For example, the objective might be to create a product concept image with a specific composition, lighting style and visual mood. A particular AI model is only one possible means of exploring that concept.
A flexible workflow allows you to adjust the tool while preserving the underlying design requirements.
4. Keep records of important project decisions
For professional projects, record useful information such as:
- The application and feature used
- The model selected, where applicable
- Important prompts and reference materials
- The output chosen for further editing
- Any manual adjustments made after generation
These records help you understand how an outcome was produced and make it easier to repeat or adapt a workflow later.
5. Continue developing your core design skills
AI tools can accelerate visual exploration, but designers still need to make decisions about composition, hierarchy, typography, colour, visual communication and suitability for the target audience.
Strong fundamentals also make it easier to evaluate outputs from different models instead of relying on a single tool to make every creative decision.
Does This Mean Adobe Firefly Is Being Discontinued?
No. The retirement notice discussed in this article lists specific generative AI models. It should not be interpreted as an announcement that Adobe Firefly or Adobe Creative Cloud as a whole is being discontinued.
Adobe’s product documentation separately describes the partner models available in its products. The availability of these models may vary by application, feature and region.
The sensible response is to check the current model list for the particular Adobe product you use. Do not assume that the retirement of one model means that every AI-powered feature is affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all the models in the list completely unavailable?
Not necessarily. The table reproduces the status labels and dates in Adobe’s retirement notice. The current availability of a model should be checked against the latest official documentation and the relevant Adobe feature.
Does a deprecated model stop working immediately?
The label alone does not establish the exact timing of removal for every feature or user. Consult the specific retirement announcement for implementation details.
Does this affect every Adobe application?
The retirement notice concerns models in Adobe products, but availability can vary by product and feature. Check the documentation relevant to the application you use.
Can I continue using these models on their original platforms?
Adobe’s retirement notice does not determine availability on every external platform. Check the relevant model provider’s official website for its current offering and support status.
How can I keep up with changes to AI tools for designers?
Follow official product announcements and documentation, and periodically review the tools used in your workflow. Tutorials are useful for learning, but their model names, interfaces and instructions can become outdated.
Final Thoughts
Generative AI is becoming an increasingly important part of creative technology, but individual models and integrations can change.
Adobe’s 2026 retirement notice provides a useful reminder that professional designers should understand not only how to use creative tools, but also how to adapt when those tools evolve.
Learn the fundamentals, evaluate available alternatives, document important workflows and stay informed about changes that affect your projects.
At Campus G, we believe that the best creative professionals combine software knowledge with design thinking, practical experience and a willingness to keep learning.
Explore more design tutorials, Adobe software updates and AI-related learning resources on the Campus G Blog.
Official reference
Adobe HelpX — Retirement of generative AI models in Adobe products
Always check the official page for the latest model names, retirement dates and status updates.
