Australia’s Recording Industry Association has implemented new eligibility criteria for its music charts, effective this week, that prohibit songs created primarily through artificial intelligence. Under the updated rules, all releases must be “substantially human made” to qualify for chart inclusion.
The policy change was prompted by controversy surrounding an AI-assisted cover of Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” by Australian DJ Josh Fawaz, which recently achieved significant chart success and accumulated over 48 million streams on Spotify. The track topped ARIA’s dance singles chart and reached number 2 on Australia’s overall chart before the artist added generative AI credits following public backlash.
ARIA stated that the new code aims to uphold “the human nature of artistry” amid an increasingly crowded marketplace. While AI tools can still be employed in production, humans must write the composition, perform lead vocals, and play primary instruments. AI assistance remains permitted for mastering, drum machines, and auto-tune applications. The guidelines also exclude music flagged for “stream or chart manipulation concerns.”
Artists submitting songs must declare any AI usage. ARIA has indicated it may retroactively adjust chart positions if music is discovered to be substantially AI-generated, and could request return of awards if such a song reached number one. Creators and their representatives can challenge exclusion decisions.
The updated code aligns with directives from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Similar restrictions have been adopted elsewhere, with Sweden banning an AI-created song from its charts earlier this year, and the IFPI announcing guidelines rollout across Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Support for Australia’s measure has come from electronic act Peking Duk, who recently shared an AI-assisted version of their 2014 track on social media.
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