Microsoft Paint is coming back with a new AI restyle feature (www.theverge.com)

Microsoft is bringing a fresh, AI-powered twist to Paint: Windows Insiders can now try a new “Restyle” feature that transforms the art style of images directly on the canvas. The update positions Paint not just as a simple raster editor but as an accessible front end for style transfer — letting users quickly apply different artistic looks to photos or drawings without leaving the app. The feature is rolling out to Insiders first, signaling Microsoft will iterate before a broader release. For the AI/ML community this is notable because it puts advanced image-manipulation capabilities into a mainstream OS app used by millions, lowering the barrier to experimenting with style-transfer and generative image tools. Technically, Restyle likely leverages neural style-transfer or lightweight generative models to reinterpret color, texture and brushwork while preserving image structure. That raises familiar trade-offs: on-device latency vs. cloud processing, model size and quality, and how artist styles are represented and controlled. The rollout via the Insider channel will surface UX and performance constraints, privacy considerations, and potential copyright questions — all important signals for developers and researchers building practical, consumer-facing creative AI.