Australia's recording industry has moved to ban wholly AI-generated music from its official charts, setting a precedent that could ripple across the global music business.
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) announced it has updated its Charts Code of Practice to exclude recordings that used generative AI unless they are "substantially human-made" and raise no stream or chart manipulation concerns. The new rules take effect on charts released this Friday.
The decision follows intense scrutiny of a cover of Madonna's "Like a Prayer" produced by Queensland DJ and producer Josh Fawaz, which became the most-played song on Australian radio and reached number four on two ARIA charts in July. Fawaz acknowledged using AI "as a tool" and later updated the Spotify listing to disclose that vocals and drums were AI-generated.
"This gives everyone who releases music in Australia a clear rule to work to," said ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd. "We call on all parties who have a role in deciding the music played and promoted to Australian audiences, particularly radio, to support human artistry and implement similar changes across their own codes."
ARIA's move draws from principles published in July by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the global body representing the recorded music industry. More than 20 official chart programs worldwide are adopting rules to distinguish human-created recordings from wholly AI-generated material.
Under the new code, ARIA can remove ineligible recordings, alter chart positions, and revoke chart awards, though artists and representatives can contest exclusions. An ARIA spokesperson indicated that music with AI-generated lead vocals or key instrumentals would likely be disqualified.
The ban comes amid a broader global dispute between creative industries and AI companies, many of which have trained their models on copyrighted material without artists' permission. Australia's federal government is separately working on new rules for AI and data centres that would include "strong copyright protections for Australian creators."
