The limitations of fifth generation (5G) networks in simultaneously addressing the growing demands of diverse applications, including ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and high-throughput services, drive the exploration of 6G technologies. Given the multifaceted nature of 6G use cases and the proliferation of edge functions, such as computing nodes, charging nodes, and sensing targets, selecting an optimal multiple access (MA) technique becomes paramount. This article reviews the literature to identify key milestones and insights from the recent progression of MA technology, exploring robust research directions and optimization aspects of developing an intelligent, unified MA framework for 6G. The article examines promising access schemes such as rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA) and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and discusses the pivotal role of the latest paradigms, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Open radio access network (RAN), in optimizing the MA framework.