In recent weeks, a rendition of Madonna’s popular song “Like a Prayer” gained significant airplay on Australian radio stations. However, the track may now face exclusion from official music charts in Australia due to new regulations established by the country’s music industry. The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) announced that it will prohibit songs entirely created by artificial intelligence (AI) from qualifying for the ARIA charts.
According to ARIA spokesperson Andrew Knowles, recordings must have a substantial human element to be eligible for the charts. Tracks where generative AI significantly contributes to the creative aspects, especially lead vocals or primary instruments, will not meet the criteria. Nevertheless, recordings with human performances at their core, complemented by minor AI elements, will still be considered for chart inclusion.
Additionally, ARIA emphasized its authority to remove recordings suspected of manipulating streams or charts. The association stressed the importance of complying with all relevant laws, particularly those concerning copyright. Productions generated by generative AI will also be ineligible for the prestigious ARIA Awards.
ARIA’s Chief Executive, Annabelle Herd, stated that these adjustments aim to uphold the essence of human artistry in a rapidly evolving industry. She voiced the association’s commitment to maintaining transparency in chart rankings and ensuring that unlicensed AI creations do not undermine the integrity of recorded music representation.
The regulatory changes follow the success of Brisbane DJ and producer Josh Fawaz’s AI-enhanced version of “Like a Prayer,” which enjoyed a lengthy presence on the ARIA Top 20 Australian Singles chart. Despite its chart performance, the track sparked debates and criticisms surrounding the use of generative AI in music production.
Critics, including music producer Mitch Thomas, accused Fawaz of exclusively utilizing AI for his music, prompting heated online discussions. Fawaz defended his approach, asserting that AI serves as a tool in his creative process rather than the sole producer of his music.
Effective next week, ARIA will enforce the ban on entirely AI-generated tracks, while some AI-assisted compositions will continue to be eligible for chart consideration. ARIA confirmed that Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer” did not meet the revised eligibility criteria based on information provided by the artist.