Australia’s top music charts ban AI songs

Australia's premier music charts will no longer feature songs created entirely by artificial intelligence, according to new guidelines from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

Effective August 21, music must be "substantially human made" to qualify for the ARIA Charts. The industry body stated that "wholly AI-generated tracks will not be eligible." The charts will exclude songs where AI generates "the entirety or the primary portion of the creative elements." However, recordings that utilize generative AI in a supporting capacity will still be permitted.

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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

This decision follows growing concerns within the music industry about the increasing prevalence of AI-generated music. In July, an AI-generated cover of Madonna's "Like A Prayer" reached the top of Australian charts, sparking scrutiny over its use of AI vocals and drums. Streaming platforms like Spotify are introducing "AI Persona" badges to identify AI-generated content, and industry executives note that over a third of new uploads to Apple Music are now fully AI-created.

ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd emphasized that these changes are intended to "promote the human nature of artistry" in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. "The ARIA Charts will always remain a transparent measurement of the music Australia consumes, but a chart that rewards unlicensed AI output would undercut the very basis of the recorded music we exist to represent," Herd stated. The move reflects a broader industry effort to establish clear labeling systems for AI-generated content.

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The ARIA Charts will always remain a transparent measurement of the music Australia consumes, but a chart that rewards unlicensed AI output would undercut the very basis of the recorded music we exist to represent