The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) announced a change to its chart rules this week, banning songs created entirely or predominantly by artificial intelligence (AI) from official rankings, effective immediately. This aims to protect the value of human artists, while still allowing AI as an assistive tool in music production.
ARIA declared an update to its chart ranking rules, stating that songs created almost entirely or wholly by AI will be ineligible for Australia’s official music charts, starting with this week's chart announcements.
Under the new rules, eligible chart songs must be "primarily human-created" and free from concerns about stream manipulation or chart distortion. However, artists may still use AI tools to assist in production, such as mastering, electronic drum machines, or automatic vocal tuning like Auto-Tune.
ARIA specifies that humans must compose the songs, perform lead vocals, and play the main instruments. If lead vocals or key instruments are AI-generated, the work may not meet the new eligibility criteria.
ARIA stated the rules aim to "promote the human nature of art" amid rapid technological changes in the music industry caused by AI.
Annabelle Herd, ARIA’s Chief Executive Officer, said artists already use AI tools in their work, and the charts should adapt to accommodate such technology. However, fully AI-produced songs derived from artists’ recorded works without authorization is a different matter.
She added that allowing unauthorized AI-generated works to chart and win awards would undermine the foundation of the music industry that ARIA represents.
This change follows criticism of an AI-generated cover of Madonna’s "Like a Prayer" by Australian DJ and producer Josh Fawaz, which rose to the top of ARIA’s dance charts and reached number two on the overall national chart.
The song was widely played on commercial radio stations and streamed over 48 million times on Spotify before Fawaz disclosed he used AI in its production amid intense criticism.
Additional data show the song reached number four on two ARIA charts in July and was among the most-played songs on Australian radio at one point. Fawaz confirmed he used AI "as a tool" and later updated Spotify metadata to indicate AI-generated vocals and drums.
ARIA’s new rules grant the association authority to remove ineligible songs from charts, revise past rankings, and revoke awards for songs that later prove to have used AI beyond allowed levels. Artists and representatives retain the right to appeal disqualifications.
Artists must disclose AI use when submitting works for chart consideration. If a number one song is later found to be predominantly AI-created, ARIA may reclaim the award granted for reaching the top position.
This move aligns with guidelines from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which has issued standards regarding AI-created music. Over 20 official chart programs worldwide are adopting similar measures to distinguish human-created works from fully AI-produced songs.
IFPI also expressed concern about unauthorized use of artists’ works to train AI models without copyright owners’ permission. These guidelines are being implemented across regions including Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Australian electronic artist group Peking Duk supports this approach. Last month, they released an AI-assisted version of their 2014 song "High," with a sarcastic note: "When you re-record your own song with AI so Australian radio will play it."
Adam Hyde, member of Peking Duk, said AI-created music is "removing the human experience from life."
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged in July that the government would provide "the strongest possible protection" for Australian creators against AI’s impact.
Albanese stated that writers and musicians should have the right to decide whether and how their works are used to train AI systems, warning that unauthorized use without control or compensation could be considered "stealing" creative works.
ARIA’s measures represent another effort by the music industry to preserve space for "human artists" amid the rapid growth of AI-generated music and ongoing debates over copyright, attribution, and fairness to original creators.