In brief
The Australian Recording Industry Association has banned songs that are largely or wholly created by artificial intelligence from its official music charts. From today, releases must be “substantially human made” to qualify, restricting AI to only tool use such as mastering or auto‑tune. The decision follows controversy over a DJ-generated cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” that topped the charts and drew criticism for AI crediting. ARIA stresses the need to preserve human artistry and will require artists to declare AI use, with potential retrospective adjustments if a track is found to be AI‑generated. The ruling echoes similar moves in Sweden and forthcoming guidelines worldwide, with artists and governments debating AI’s role in music creation.
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has introduced a new rule that bars music produced largely or entirely by artificial intelligence from its official charts. From this week, any release must be “substantially human made” to qualify for chart inclusion.
ARIA said the change would help “promote the human nature of artistry”. It comes after a controversy sparked by a DJ cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” that topped the ARIA dance singles chart and reached number two on the nationwide chart, later credited by the DJ as an AI‑assisted work.
The DJ’s claim of AI backing drew backlash from fans and industry insiders alike, prompting ARIA’s decision. The new code allows AI tools only for ancillary tasks like mastering or auto‑tune, but requires a human writer and primary performer to produce the track. AI used in accompaniment, such as drum machines, remains permitted.
ARIA will also ask artists to declare all AI usage when submitting a song for chart consideration. The authority said it could “retain the ability to adjust chart positions retrospectively” if a track is found to be largely AI-generated. In some cases, a song that tops the charts could even lose its number‑one award if discovered to be unauthorized AI output.
The new rule follows a similar ban in Sweden and will dovetail with International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) guidelines slated for release in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. IFPI’s guidelines include measures to protect against chart manipulation and emphasise the necessity for transparency when AI is involved.
Australian artists are broadly supportive of the move. Peking Duk, an electronic act, shared an AI‑assisted remix of their 2014 hit “High” on Instagram, noting that “re‑recording your own song with AI … lets Australian radio play it.” Band member Adam Hyde argues that music produced by AI removes the human experience from art.
In July 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged “the strongest possible protection” for Australian creatives. He promised that writers and musicians could choose how their work is used in training AI and that lack of control would amount to theft and unpaid exploitation.
