Ban on fully AI generated tracks
Annabelle Herd, chief executive of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), announced that tracks produced entirely by artificial intelligence will be excluded from the official ARIA charts and the organisation's awards from next Monday. The new rule requires that a song's composition, lead vocal and primary instruments be created by humans, and that any AI tools used must be legally licensed.
"These changes reflect our intent to remain dynamic and promote the human nature of artistry in what is, to say the least, a rapidly developing space," Herd said.
She added that allowing unlicensed AI output on the charts would undermine the recorded music industry's purpose.
Industry reaction
The decision follows a high-profile case where an Australian producer used AI-generated vocals and drums to recreate a version of Madonna's "Like a Prayer". The track spent 16 weeks in the top 20 of the ARIA singles chart, peaking at number two, and sparked debate over the role of generative AI in music.
Composer and lecturer Alexis Weaver of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music welcomed the move, describing it as a "wonderful step forward" that signals a commitment to value human creativity. Weaver noted that while avoiding AI tools entirely is difficult, artists can still use them while retaining control over the main creative choices.
International context and next steps
The Australian policy aligns with principles released in July by the London-based International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which state that a track must be "substantially human made" to qualify for official charts. Both organisations stress the importance of protecting artists' rights and ensuring that chart rankings reflect genuine consumer consumption.
Going forward, ARIA will monitor compliance with the new criteria and work with streaming platforms to enforce the ban on wholly AI-generated releases. The industry will also watch how other markets respond to similar challenges as generative technologies continue to evolve.