Apple, at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), introduced a range of AI-powered functionalities for its devices. Among these, a new Clean Up tool for the Photos app stands out, enabling users to effortlessly delete unwanted objects or people from their photos by highlighting them. Notably, Apple's AI Clean Up tool bears a strong resemblance to similar features found on rival phones, such as Google's "Magic Eraser."

Samsung and OnePlus have also recently introduced AI Eraser tools similar to Google's photo editing tool. While mobile manufacturers are equipping their phones with AI capabilities, Apple is not the first to roll out these AI erasers. What's the significance behind these AI erasers?

Google's Magic Eraser, an image editing tool in Google Photos, started the trend by using AI to automatically remove distractions from photos. Initially launched with the Pixel 6 and restricted to Pixel phones, it later became accessible through a paid Google One subscription. Recently, Google expanded Magic Eraser's availability, offering it for free to more Android users. This user-friendly photo editing feature requires just a few taps or a simple circle around the unwanted element for the AI to effortlessly remove it. Whether it's a pesky photobomber or a stray telephone pole, these AI tools can erase them and seamlessly fill the empty space.