Australia’s recorded music industry is tightening its rules on artificial intelligence, with fully AI-generated songs set to be excluded from the country’s official ARIA music charts from Friday. The move is aimed at protecting human creativity and addressing growing concerns about the impact of generative AI on musicians.
Under the updated rules introduced by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), songs must be “substantially human-made” to qualify for the charts. Music that uses AI in a supporting role can still be eligible if it meets the new requirements.
The decision follows controversy surrounding an AI-assisted version of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” produced by Queensland DJ and producer Josh Fawaz. The track became one of Australia’s most-played songs on radio and climbed into the ARIA charts, prompting renewed debate over the role of AI in music production.
ARIA said eligible recordings must include substantial human involvement, including human-written songs and human performers providing lead vocals and primary instruments. The organization also said music created with AI services that use artists’ work without proper authorization could face eligibility problems.
ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd said the changes are intended to preserve the human element of music while acknowledging that artists are increasingly using AI-assisted tools in the creative process.
The new rules will also apply to the prestigious ARIA Awards, meaning wholly AI-generated recordings will not be eligible for recognition under the industry’s awards system.
The move reflects a wider international debate over copyright, artist consent and the use of generative AI in creative industries. Global music industry guidelines released earlier this year have similarly emphasized that recordings should be substantially human-made to qualify for official charts.
Australia’s decision could become an important test for how music-chart organizations respond as AI-generated tracks become increasingly sophisticated and capable of competing with traditionally produced music.
Swifteradio.com
