The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) announced on the 25th that due to the rapid development of generative technology threatening the livelihood of musicians, music composed entirely or predominantly by generative artificial intelligence (AI) will be prohibited from entering the official music charts.
According to reports from the Associated Press, a song titled “Like a Prayer,” featuring AI-generated vocals and drum sounds, stayed in the top ten of ARIA’s relevant charts for 16 weeks. This revamped version of Madonna’s pop classic “Like a Prayer” was released by Australian DJ and music producer Josh Fawaz.
Data from the ARIA charts shows that the song briefly rose to the second position and as of August 24th, it is still ranked fourth on the charts.
In a statement, ARIA announced that starting from the list released on August 28th, tracks composed entirely or predominantly by AI will be excluded from the charts. Works where AI assists in composition but primarily created and performed by humans can still chart.
ARIA clarified that tracks utilizing generative AI must be primarily human-led, free from streaming or chart manipulation concerns, and comply with applicable laws, including copyright and related rights provisions. AI-generated vocals or dominant instrumental performances may disqualify a recording from chart eligibility, while AI mixing, mastering, track isolation, or AI drum machines used as auxiliary tools will not lead to disqualification.
Tracks not meeting ARIA’s chart qualifications will also not be eligible to compete for ARIA awards. If a track is deemed to violate the regulations, ARIA reserves the right to exclude it from surveys, remove from the charts, adjust rankings, revoke certifications, or withdraw related ARIA #1 awards. Artists and their representatives can dispute and submit evidence through the dispute resolution process.
ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd stated, “These changes reflect our intent to remain vibrant in this rapidly evolving arena and promote the human spirit in art.”
She added, “The ARIA charts will consistently transparently reflect the music consumption trends of the Australian public, but rewarding unauthorized AI generation in a chart could undermine the foundation of the recording music industry we represent.”
ARIA stated that the new regulations align with the Principles for AI-Generated Works Eligibility on Official Charts released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) based in London on July 30th this year. The IFPI principles stipulate that tracks produced using generative AI can only be included in official charts if primarily human-led, free from streaming or chart manipulation concerns, and compliant with applicable laws.
Sydney Conservatorium of Music composer and lecturer Alexis Weaver told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the debate surrounding AI’s application in music is “intensely polarized, with many musicians having strong feelings about it, each with different viewpoints.”
Weaver praised ARIA’s move as a “positive step forward,” conveying ARIA’s commitment to “prioritizing and valuing human creativity.”
“In the current environment, completely avoiding the use of AI tools is quite challenging,” Weaver said. “However, there is a way to still steer while utilizing AI and making major creative decisions.”