Ever since Ghostwriter’s so-called “Fake Drake” song “Heart On My Sleeve” hit TikTok in May 2023, the music industry has been fixated on the opportunities and threats of the AI age. 

A lot has transpired since then. While 2023 was defined by the launch of many AI music companies, including Suno in the final days of the year, 2024 was the year when music firms got serious about enforcing their rights, launching lawsuits to battle the actions of some of the newcomers. By the time 2025 came around, more and more players in the space were ready to find a path forward together through licensing and settlements. 

While those settlements and deals are still taking shape heading into 2026, one thing seems certain: the music industry has accepted that the AI age is here, and they want to work with — not against — AI. As Universal Music Group’s chief digital officer, Michael Nash, once put it: “If you don’t claim a seat at the dinner table, you might wind up on the menu.”

Below are a few of the many companies leading the future of AI music in 2026.