Inside the First AI Music Awards: SIQA Crowns Xania Monet

The Sonic Intelligence Academy (SIQA) held its inaugural AI Music Awards at the Mayan Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, where AI persona Xania Monet — created by Telisha "Nikki" Jones — won artist and song of the year, three of the four top categories. Founded by software engineer Timirah "TJ" James and her sister Mia James, SIQA launched in January with its own AI music charts and a "Verified Registry" labeling tracks as fully AI-generated, AI-assisted or human + AI hybrid. Nominees voted across 25 categories, from AI Song of the Year to Best AI Comedic Song.