Australia Bans Fully AI Generated Music From Official Charts

Australia Bans Fully AI-Generated Music From Official Charts

Australia is set to exclude fully AI-generated music from its official music charts under new rules introduced by the Australian Recording Industry Association ARIA to protect human creativity in the music industry. The new guidelines require music to be “substantially human made” to qualify for the ARIA Charts. Tracks in which artificial intelligence generates the entirety or primary portion of the creative work will no longer be eligible. However, ARIA is not banning the use of artificial intelligence altogether. AI-assisted recordings will remain eligible where the technology is used in a supporting role and the work remains substantially human-made The rules come amid growing concerns over the rapid increase in AI-generated music. ARIA said the changes are intended to preserve what it described as the “human nature of artistry” while allowing legitimate uses of new technology. The policy follows controversy surrounding an AI-assisted version of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer”, which rose high on Australia’s music charts before scrutiny over its use of AI-generated vocals and drums. The song’s success intensified debate over whether music created largely by artificial intelligence should compete directly with recordings made by human article The track had spent 16 weeks in Australia’s top 20 and reached No. 2, according to reports, making it a prominent example of the growing influence of AI-generated music on mainstream charts. ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd said the organisation wanted its charts to remain an accurate reflection of the music Australians consume while ensuring that unlicensed AI-generated material does not undermine the recorded-music industry. The new rules are scheduled to apply to the ARIA Chart dated August 31, 2026, with the updated eligibility requirements taking effect this week. The decision makes Australia one of the latest music markets to introduce formal rules addressing the growing role of generative AI in music, as record labels, artists and streaming platforms grapple with questions surrounding creativity, copyright and the rights of human performers.