A recent hit song on Australian radio may face 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 country’s music charts, has declared that tracks entirely created by artificial intelligence will no longer be permitted.

According to ARIA spokesperson Andrew Knowles, recordings must have a significant human element to be considered for the ARIA charts. Tracks where generative AI has predominantly contributed to the creative aspects, especially lead vocals or instruments, will not meet the eligibility criteria. However, recordings where AI has been used in a minor capacity alongside human performance will still be eligible.

In addition to this restriction, ARIA reserves the right to remove songs suspected of manipulating streams or charts. The association emphasized the importance of compliance with copyright laws and noted that tracks produced by generative AI will not qualify for the prestigious ARIA Awards.

ARIA’s CEO, Annabelle Herd, stated that these modifications aim to uphold the essence of human artistry in a rapidly evolving industry. The association seeks to maintain transparency in chart measurements and avoid rewarding unlicensed AI-generated music.

The decision follows the controversy surrounding Josh Fawaz, a DJ and producer from Brisbane, whose rendition of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” featuring AI-generated vocals and drums gained significant chart success. The track sparked debates on the use of generative AI in music production.

Notably, some critics, including music producer Mitch Thomas, voiced concerns online, accusing Fawaz of exclusively relying on AI for music creation. Fawaz defended his work, stating that AI is merely a tool in his production process.

Effective next Monday, fully AI-generated tracks will be disqualified from the ARIA charts. However, music with AI assistance may still be eligible for chart inclusion. ARIA confirmed that Fawaz’s version of “Like a Prayer” did not meet the eligibility standards based on the artist’s provided information.