Ciauru Wins Reply AI Music Contest 2026; PARAFRAME & Avis Vox Take Grand Prix

Ciauru, the Italian DJ and producer known for integrating artificial intelligence into his sets, was announced as the winner of the second edition of the Reply AI Music Contest on the Nova Stage at Kappa FuturFestival in Turin on 6 July 2026. The contest, organized by the Italian technology firm Reply, focused on the theme “Imaginatio Nova” and invited artists worldwide to explore new forms of expression that combine AI, music and live performance.

The contest attracted more than 1,400 applications from 45 countries and over 300 live performances. Five finalists—Ciauru, Violeta Valcheva, POLARIS, Yichu Li and the German duo PARAFRAME & Avis Vox—performed on the Nova Stage. An international jury composed of Agoria, Max Cooper, Fleur Shore, Tini Gessler, Ali Demirel, Albi Scotti, Filippo Rizzante, Oliver Bohl and Sarah Grimaldi evaluated the acts. Ciauru’s entry, titled “RAW BOTANICAL DATA,” used AI tools KREA.AI, SEEDANCE and HIGGSFIELD to transform simple source footage into complex visual environments that synchronized in real time with his electronic music.

According to the contest’s press release, Ciauru described the AI as an “organic transformer” that expanded minimal source material into immersive, recursive spatial structures. He noted that 90 % of the work was guided by human input, with AI accelerating processes that would otherwise take longer.

In addition to the main prize, the Reply AI Studios Grand Prix was awarded to PARAFRAME & Avis Vox for their innovative use of AI and technical excellence. Their performance showcased three‑dimensional environments, including spatial structures, particles, atmospheric effects and dynamic lighting that evolved in real time with the music.

The Reply AI Music Contest is part of the broader Reply Challenges program, a series of technology and creative competitions that aim to engage new generations. The program currently has more than 250,000 participants worldwide.

Reply, listed on the STAR segment of the Italian Stock Exchange, specializes in consulting, system integration and digital services focused on new communication channels and digital media. The company supports major industrial groups in telecom, media, banking, insurance and public sectors.

The contest’s success reflects growing interest in AI‑enabled artistic experimentation. The event was held on the Nova Stage, a platform powered by Reply, during Kappa FuturFestival, a long‑running festival that attracts electronic music enthusiasts.

The winner’s project, “RAW BOTANICAL DATA,” and the Grand Prix entry by PARAFRAME & Avis Vox demonstrate how AI can be integrated into live performance to create multisensory experiences. The contest’s outcomes provide a snapshot of current trends in AI music production, live visual synthesis and interactive performance.

The Reply AI Music Contest will continue to run annually, with the next edition expected to build on the participation and innovation seen in 2026.