In a recent development, a rendition of Madonna’s popular song “Like a Prayer” that received significant airplay on Australian radio stations last month is facing potential exclusion from official music charts due to new regulations established by the Australian music industry.
The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA), responsible for overseeing the nation’s official music charts, revealed that tracks entirely produced by artificial intelligence will no longer be permitted for inclusion. ARIA’s spokesperson, Andrew Knowles, stated that recordings must have a substantial human element to be considered for the ARIA charts.
Tracks where generative AI plays a significant role in creating creative components, such as lead vocals or instruments, are deemed ineligible. However, recordings where AI complements a human performance are still eligible for chart inclusion. ARIA also reserves the right to remove any tracks suspected of manipulating streams or charts and mandates compliance with copyright laws.
ARIA Chief Executive Annabelle Herd emphasized the importance of preserving the human aspect of artistry in music amid rapid technological advancements. She highlighted that the ARIA charts aim to provide a transparent reflection of the music consumed by Australians and that recognizing unlicensed AI output would undermine the essence of the industry.
The decision follows the success of Brisbane DJ and producer Josh Fawaz’s AI-assisted version of “Like a Prayer,” which sparked controversy by spending weeks on the ARIA’s Top 20 Australian Singles chart. The track’s success reignited debates about the use of generative AI in music production, leading to criticism and accusations against Fawaz.
The new regulations will take effect next Monday, disqualifying completely AI-generated tracks from ARIA charts. Despite the ban on wholly AI-produced music, compositions with AI assistance may still meet eligibility criteria. ARIA confirmed that Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer” failed to meet the new requirements based on the information provided by the artist.