In the past month, a rendition of Madonna’s popular song “Like a Prayer” gained significant airplay on Australian radio. However, the cover is now facing potential exclusion from official charts due to new regulations established by the Australian music industry.
The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) recently announced that tracks entirely created by artificial intelligence will no longer qualify for the country’s official music charts. ARIA specified that recordings must be predominantly human-generated to be eligible for the ARIA charts.
Instances where generative AI is responsible for the creative aspects of a track, especially primary elements like lead vocals or instruments, will render the track ineligible. However, tracks that incorporate AI in a minor capacity alongside human performances will still be considered. ARIA also reserves the right to eliminate recordings suspected of manipulating streaming or chart rankings, ensuring compliance with copyright laws.
Moreover, songs produced by generative AI will not be eligible for the prestigious ARIA Awards. ARIA’s CEO, Annabelle Herd, emphasized the organization’s commitment to preserving the human essence of music creation in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The decision follows the success of Brisbane DJ and producer Josh Fawaz’s AI-assisted rendition of “Like a Prayer,” which sparked controversy and debate within the industry. Despite spending weeks on the ARIA Top 20 Australian Singles chart, Fawaz’s track faced criticism for its use of generative AI in vocals and drums.
Music producer Mitch Thomas publicly criticized Fawaz online, accusing him of relying entirely on AI for music production. Fawaz defended his approach, highlighting AI as a tool rather than the sole creator of his music.
Beginning next Monday, wholly AI-generated tracks will be removed from the ARIA charts, while AI-assisted compositions may still be eligible. ARIA confirmed that Fawaz’s cover of “Like a Prayer” did not meet the new eligibility criteria based on information provided by the artist.
