VSCO unveiled AI Lab, a new editing suite for iOS photographers who want AI assistance without losing creative control. The first tool available, Remove, lets users erase unwanted objects while preserving image quality, texture, and color accuracy.
Unlike automated solutions that make decisions for you, VSCO’s AI Lab uses content-aware detection with manual brush and lasso tools. Users can tap, draw, or brush areas for cleanup while keeping edits non-destructive, meaning it does not alter the original file. The tool supports RAW files, making it viable for professional workflows where maintaining full image fidelity matters.
The lab runs on Black Forest Labs’ FLUX.1 Kontext combined with VSCO’s proprietary AI engine. This setup aims for realistic photography refinement instead of generative recreation. VSCO frames this as “amplify, not replace” creativity, positioning the tools as extensions of artistic intent rather than shortcuts.
An Upscale tool is coming next, designed for image enlargement without the distortion common in simpler upscaling methods from competitors. AI Lab is exclusive to VSCO Pro subscribers on iOS 15 and up. Pro membership costs $12.99 monthly or $59.99 yearly, including unlimited AI edits, 200+ presets, desktop tools, and Lightroom integration. A free trial is available for new users.
For photographers who’ve relied on VSCO Cam’s preset filters since the app’s Android debut, AI Lab represents a shift toward precision tools rather than one-tap effects. The focus on manual control and RAW support suggests VSCO is targeting serious mobile photographers, not casual editors looking for quick fixes.
