Australia Bans AI-Generated Songs From Music Charts

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has put forth new rules to exclude AI-generated songs from the country's primary music charts. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) previously established global guidelines for AI music, which ARIA considered in their decision. AI-generated tracks will no longer be eligible for the ARIA Charts, while recordings that utilize generative AI in a supportive role will still be eligible.

This rule will commence on the charts debuting on August 28, originally scheduled for August 31. ARIA's CEO, Annabelle Herd, emphasized the importance of maintaining the human aspect of artistry and ensuring transparency in the rapidly evolving music landscape. Artists are already incorporating AI tools into their work, and the ARIA Charts should continue to accommodate this development.

However, music entirely generated by services built on artists' recordings poses a different issue. ARIA aims to create a clear and future-proof standard for music eligibility, working closely with international industry bodies to implement these changes effectively. The updated Code of Practice also includes procedures for appealing exclusions from the Charts based on presumed AI usage.

This development comes as AI-generated music continues to surge, with Deezer reporting that 44% of uploaded tracks are AI-generated. The controversy reached the US when AI-generated song "Rubberz" by Fenix Flexin cracked the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard has already introduced new tools to identify and label AI-generated content to enforce its rules and maintain transparency around AI usage.