In recent weeks, a rendition of Madonna’s popular song “Like a Prayer” gained significant airplay across Australian radio stations. However, this cover version faces potential exclusion from official music charts in Australia due to new regulations introduced by the music industry in the country.
The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA), which supervises the nation’s official music charts, declared that songs entirely created by artificial intelligence (AI) will no longer be permitted on the ARIA charts. ARIA’s spokesperson, Andrew Knowles, stated that recordings must have a significant human element to be considered for chart inclusion.
Tracks where generative AI is responsible for the primary creative aspects, such as lead vocals or instruments, will not meet the eligibility criteria. Nonetheless, recordings where AI supplements a human performance will still be eligible for the charts. ARIA emphasized its authority to remove recordings suspected of manipulating streams or charts and asserted that all tracks must adhere to relevant copyright laws.
ARIA’s CEO, Annabelle Herd, highlighted the organization’s commitment to preserving the essence of human artistry in music amidst the rapid evolution of technology. She affirmed that the ARIA charts aim to transparently reflect Australia’s music consumption patterns and will not reward AI-generated content that violates copyright laws.
The decision comes following the success of Josh Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer,” featuring AI-generated vocals and drums, which enjoyed a lengthy presence on the ARIA’s Top 20 Australian Singles chart. The track sparked debates and criticisms surrounding the use of generative AI in music production.
Critics, like music producer Mitch Thomas, voiced concerns online, accusing Fawaz of exclusively utilizing AI to create music. Fawaz defended his work, clarifying that AI serves as a tool in his music production process.
The new regulations will take effect next Monday, prohibiting entirely AI-generated tracks from the ARIA charts. However, compositions that incorporate AI as a supplementary tool will remain eligible for chart consideration. ARIA confirmed that Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer” failed to meet the revised eligibility standards based on information provided by the artist.