In brief
In a landmark move, Australia’s music charts will exclude tracks that are purely AI‑created, marking a first in the industry. The change, announced by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), means that any release must have a human element—whether in writing, vocals or instrumentation—to qualify. The ruling follows a controversy over an AI‑enhanced cover of Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” that topped the charts, prompting a backlash and a reevaluation of what counts as a musical artist. While AI tools can still assist in production, ARIA stresses that the core artistry must remain human, and it will enforce retroactive changes if a song is found to be predominantly AI‑generated. The ban aligns with similar moves in Sweden and upcoming international guidelines from the IFPI, underscoring a growing global debate on the place of AI in creative works.
Songs that are largely or wholly created by AI have been banned from Australia's music charts.
Under new rules ARIA says a track must be "substantially human made" to qualify for the charts, ensuring only human‑crafted music appears.
The decision follows a stir when an Australian DJ’s AI‑enhanced cover of Madonna’s "Like A Prayer" rose to number two on the national chart and topped the dance segment, yet faced criticism for lacking genuine human authorship.
In response, ARIA pledged to protect the "human nature of artistry" and will audit submissions for AI dominance, potentially revising chart positions if a song proves predominantly synthetic.
Artists can still use AI for support—such as mastering, drum machines or vocal effects—but must write songs, perform lead vocals or play the main instruments themselves.
The change echoes Sweden’s earlier ban on fully AI‑produced tracks and mirrors IFPI’s guidance for markets worldwide, including Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.
“Artists already use AI tools in their work, and the charts can and should evolve to accommodate that, but music generated wholesale by services built on artists’ recordings is a different matter,” ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd said.
The policy will require artists to declare AI involvement when submitting work for chart consideration, and failure to meet the criteria may lead to retroactive removal or the return of awards for reaching number one.
Support for the move comes from acts such as Peking Duk, who recently released an AI‑assisted version of their 2014 hit and highlighted the erosion of human experience in music.
