Article summary: As I’ve mentioned may times (!)… AI can play very different roles in making a song. SIQA, the Sonic Intelligence Academy, now gives creators a way to say how they used it and to register their released work. Its registry distinguishes between AI-assisted music, music made using an artist’s own cloned voice and fully AI-generated music. I think that honesty gives both creators and listeners a better starting point.

Ask someone what they think “AI music” means and they may picture a person typing a prompt, pressing a button and accepting whatever comes out. That sort of music exists. But it doesn’t describe every creator who uses AI.

Someone might write the song and record the instruments, then use AI for a vocal. Another person might bring their own voice into a production built with AI tools. Others may direct and select an entirely generated track. Those are different creative processes. We should be able to talk about them accurately.

That’s why I’m pleased to see what SIQA is doing.

A place to be open about how the music was made

SIQA runs a public registry for AI music. Artists can claim a profile and submit released tracks, with a declaration of how AI was involved. SIQA reviews submissions and classifies works as AI-assisted, Human + AI Hybrid or Fully AI-generated. In SIQA’s framework, the hybrid category specifically means a creator has used AI to reproduce their own voice.

I like the principle behind this. A broad “AI-generated” label, as we’ve covered in my blogs, tells a listener very little about who wrote, performed, arranged or produced a piece of music. A more specific account gives the human contribution its proper place, whatever that contribution was.

For my own projects, I’ve tried to be open about using AI. I care about the ideas, writing, performances and production decisions behind a track. I also want people to know where AI enters the process. There’s no reason to hide it, and no reason to pretend that every use of AI is the same.

Recognition matters too

SIQA also publishes AI music charts and is planning its first AI Music Awards for November 2026. The announced categories include AI-assisted and Human + AI Hybrid songs, alongside awards for songs, artists, producers and genres. I’m glad to see space for the range of work being made and for the people making it.

I don’t know how SIQA’s work will develop over the long term. Right now, its registry offers something useful: a public place where creators can put their names and their methods alongside their music. Its submission terms also make clear that registration does not establish copyright ownership or guarantee a chart position. That distinction matters.

If you make music with AI, whether it plays a small part or a central one, I’d suggest you to explore the SIQA registry and consider registering your released tracks. Tell people what you made and how you made it. Let them hear the work with the right information in front of them.

Frequently asked questions

What is SIQA?

SIQA stands for the Sonic Intelligence Academy. It runs a public registry for AI music, as well as charts and other projects concerned with how AI is used in music.

Can I register AI-assisted music, or only fully generated tracks?

The registry accepts declarations in three categories: AI-assisted, Human + AI Hybrid and Fully AI-generated. The hybrid category has a specific meaning in SIQA’s framework: using AI to reproduce the artist’s own voice.

Does registering a song prove I own its copyright?

No. SIQA says it does not verify copyright ownership. You still need to make sure you have the rights and permissions required for your recording.

Does submitting a track guarantee that it will appear in the registry or charts?

No. SIQA reviews submissions and says it does not guarantee inclusion, chart placement or a particular ranking.

What sort of track can I submit?

SIQA’s published chart eligibility guidelines say the recording must already be publicly released. They also ask for accurate release details and an honest declaration of AI involvement. Check the current submission terms before submitting.

Where can I find SIQA?

Visit thesiqa.com for the organisation and its charts, or go directly to the SIQA Verified Registry to explore artist profiles (including The Radiation and The Skyscrapers!) and submit a song.

About the Author

Matthew Sweetapple is a British songwriter, lyricist, author and creative director. His work spans music, books, advertising and digital media, always with a focus on storytelling. Through The Radiation, he explores the creative possibilities of AI-assisted songwriting while championing the enduring value of human imagination, lyric writing and emotional authenticity. He believes technology should expand creative opportunities, not diminish the people whose ideas bring music to life.