Australia bans AI-generated music—only ‘substantially human made’ music is eligible to make the charts

As artificial intelligence's role in music creation grows, Australia's recorded music industry has decided to exclude tracks entirely produced by AI from official charts, a decision aimed at protecting artists' livelihoods. The ban, set to come into effect next week, follows the success of an AI-generated version of Madonna's hit "Like a Prayer," which spent 16 weeks in the top 20 Australian singles chart.

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has stated that only tracks where humans wrote the song, performed the lead vocal, and played the primary instruments will be eligible for the charts. AI-generated music will also be barred from winning ARIA awards.

ARIA's chief executive, Annabelle Herd, emphasized the need to maintain a human-centered approach to artistry in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. The ARIA Charts, she added, must remain a transparent reflection of the music Australians consume. The Australian rules align with new guidelines released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in July, which stipulate that a track must be "substantially human made" to qualify for official music charts.

Musician Alexis Weaver from Sydney Conservatorium of Music acknowledged the emotional and contentious nature of the AI in music debate. She praised ARIA's move as a significant step forward that sends a strong message to the industry about prioritizing human creativity. Weaver also pointed out that while it can be challenging to avoid AI tools in today's landscape, it is possible to use them responsibly while still maintaining creative control.