Editorial note: Updated 27 July 2026. This guide replaces examples that have since shut down with tools that are active and verified as of this update.
Generative AI creates new images, music, and video rather than analyzing existing content, and by 2026 it has moved from a novelty into a real part of creative and marketing workflows. It has also moved fast enough that even well-funded products do not survive: OpenAI shut down its Sora video app in April 2026, less than six months after a high-profile launch, after user numbers collapsed and the economics did not hold up. That is worth knowing before you build a workflow around any single tool.
This guide covers the tools that are actually active right now, organized by what they create.
The quick take
- Best for artistic image quality: Midjourney.
- Best for commercially safe images: Adobe Firefly, thanks to full copyright indemnification on licensed training data.
- Best for video: Runway, following the shutdown of OpenAI’s Sora app.
- Best for music: Suno, with Udio a close second for finer editing control.
Generative AI tools at a glance
| Tool | Creates | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Midjourney | Images | Artistic quality for editorial and marketing visuals |
| Adobe Firefly | Images | Commercial work that needs licensing protection |
| OpenAI GPT Image | Images | Accurate prompt-following and text inside images |
| Runway | Video | AI-generated and edited video clips |
| Suno | Music | Fast, complete songs with vocals from a text prompt |
| Udio | Music | Finer control over remixing and song structure |
Image generation
Midjourney remains the strongest choice for artistic quality, favored for editorial illustration, concept art, and marketing visuals where aesthetics matter most. Adobe Firefly takes a different approach: it is trained only on licensed Adobe Stock content and licensed or public domain material, and comes with commercial copyright indemnification, making it the safer choice for brands that cannot risk a copyright dispute over an ad campaign. OpenAI’s GPT Image models are strong where the other two are weaker: following detailed instructions precisely and rendering readable text inside an image.
A common workflow pairs Midjourney for hero visuals with Firefly for anything that needs full commercial rights cleared. Our AI tools for content creators guide also covers Canva AI, which builds Firefly-style generation directly into a full design workflow.
Video generation
Runway is the most established option for AI-generated and AI-edited video, covering text-to-video generation, background removal, motion tracking, and visual effects. It is a practical fit for marketers and YouTubers who need short clips or effects without a full production pipeline.
Sora’s shutdown is a useful reminder for this category specifically: video generation is expensive to run at scale, and even a major, well-funded launch can disappear within months. Favor tools with a track record and a clear business model over whichever app is generating the most hype this week.
Music generation
Suno generates a complete track, including vocals, lyrics, and arrangement, from a short text prompt, and is the fastest way to go from an idea to a finished song. Udio covers similar ground but leans toward editing control, with remix and inpainting features that let you regenerate a specific section of a track without touching the rest.
Both are useful for background music, jingles, and quick creative demos. Neither replaces a professional composer for a project that needs a specific, polished sound, but both are strong enough for content creators who need original music without a licensing budget.
Generative AI for business
Beyond standalone creative tools, generative AI is increasingly built into marketing and design workflows: on-brand ad variations, personalized product imagery, and rapid concept visuals for teams that cannot brief a designer for every asset. Our AI tools for business growth guide covers how tools like Jasper and HubSpot Breeze use generative AI for marketing content specifically, and our content creators guide covers the visual and video side in more depth.
What to keep in mind
- Licensing matters for commercial use. Check whether a tool’s training data and terms actually cover the commercial rights you need, as Firefly’s indemnification illustrates.
- Tools in this category can disappear quickly. Sora’s shutdown less than six months after launch is a reminder not to build a critical workflow around a single, unproven product.
- Generated content still needs human review for accuracy, brand fit, and originality before it goes out publicly.
Frequently asked questions
What is generative AI?
Generative AI refers to models that create new content, such as images, music, video, or text, by learning patterns from existing data rather than simply analyzing or classifying it.
What happened to Sora?
OpenAI shut down the Sora video app in April 2026, with the underlying API following later that year. User numbers fell sharply after launch, and OpenAI shifted its focus toward other priorities, illustrating how quickly this category can change.
Is AI-generated content safe to use commercially?
It depends on the tool. Adobe Firefly offers commercial copyright indemnification because it trains only on licensed content. Other tools carry more legal uncertainty, so review each vendor’s terms before using generated content in a paid campaign or product.
Can generative AI replace artists and musicians?
Not for professional, polished work that needs a specific creative vision. These tools are strongest for drafts, concept exploration, and content where speed and volume matter more than a single, refined artistic voice.
Continue exploring: Browse our AI tools for content creators guide, see how these tools fit into AI tools for business growth, or read our Claude AI review for a closer look at text-based generative AI.