Image: A photorealistic portrait created by AI tool Midjourney.
Generative AI has matured into a business essential. As of 2025, 71% of organisations are regularly using generative AI across at least one business function – up from 65% in 2024 and poised to grow.
This surge in adoption has been matched by a wave of investment. Global funding in generative AI hit record levels in the first half of 2025, signalling growing confidence in its long-term business value.
As we edge closer to 2026, here are 7 of the best AI tools worth having on your radar.
Best generalist AI tool: ChatGPT
Still the Swiss Army knife of AI, OpenAI’s ChatGPT now runs on GPT-5, meaning it’s sharper, faster and more intuitive than ever.
From campaign ideas to TikTok scripts, it’s the one tool we all keep coming back to. Used intelligently with human input and feedback, ChatGPT is a great collaborator.
Good to know: The Plus plan (£20/month) gives you unlimited access to its most advanced features.
Best productivity AI tool: Notion AI
Notion AI has quietly become a secret weapon for productivity, and we predict its popularity will boom in 2026.
From summarising meetings and generating action items to rewriting clunky copy and building custom databases, it turns overwhelming workloads into manageable sprints.
Recent updates introduce enhanced cross-platform integrations with Figma, GitHub and Google Drive, plus advanced summarisation and workflow automation.
Good to know: Notion AI works best when your team is already inside the Notion ecosystem, so if you’re new, take some time to explore the platform first.
Best creative AI tool: Midjourney
Midjourney continues to set the pace for AI-generated visuals in 2026. It turns simple text prompts into striking images in seconds, from surreal sci-fi to fashion-forward moodboards and scroll-stopping social assets.
Its intuitive prompt system and Discord-based interface make high-end creative accessible to pros and hobbyists alike. It’s fuelling a surge in AI-driven design across advertising, fashion, publishing and entertainment.
That said, the rise of AI-generated art hasn’t come without controversy. Midjourney recently found itself at the centre of a copyright infringement lawsuit from Universal Pictures and Disney, while UK creative industries have rallied against proposed AI copyright exemptions.
As this medium evolves, built in part on datasets sourced from human-made art, debates around ownership and originality will only intensify.
Good to know: Midjourney runs entirely on Discord, which can take some getting used to for new users.
Best video content AI tool: Veo 3
Veo 3 is Google DeepMind’s most advanced text-to-video model, and it’s raising the bar for cinematic, prompt-based storytelling.
Unlike many tools in this space, Veo 3 combines technical power with actual usability. It understands framing, tone and pacing, and now generates synchronised audio too, including voice, music and sound design.
You can generate 8-second video clips directly within Canva Pro using a simple text or voice prompt, making it even easier to add AI video to your creative workflow.
Good to know: Currently, Veo 3 focuses on creating high-quality 8-second videos, with longer formats planned for future updates.
Best SEO AI tool: Surfer SEO
Surfer SEO turns content optimisation into a science. By analysing hundreds of real-time ranking signals across your competitors, it offers clear, data-backed guidance to help your content climb the SERPs.
The Content Editor is where Surfer shines, offering keyword suggestions, structure guidance and even semantic terms as you write. Whether refreshing an old blog or drafting from scratch, it delivers live feedback to sharpen your SEO.
Other platform highlights include the Topical Map, which identifies content gaps, and integrated AI writing to speed up production (though human editing still matters).
Good to know: You can share Surfer’s Content Editor with external collaborators or freelancers, even if they don’t have a Surfer login.
Best voice, sound and music AI tool: ElevenLabs
ElevenLabs is a generative audio platform that covers everything from AI voiceovers and dubbing to fully copyright-cleared music creation.
It generates lifelike speech in multiple languages and tones, so it’s ideal for podcasts, audiobooks, short-form videos or customer support bots.
Its latest release, Eleven Music, lets you generate custom, commercially licensed tracks in seconds, with full control over lyrics, melody and sections.
Good to know: Eleven Music is licensed for broad commercial use, meaning you can use tracks in marketing campaigns without copyright concerns. Plans start at USD $22/month.
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About the author
Natalie Clement | Digital
Marketing Executive
With international experience as a digital marketer, writer, and editor, Natalie has worked across sectors including lifestyle, technology, and tourism.
