A rendition of Madonna’s popular song “Like a Prayer” that gained significant airplay on Australian radio last month may face exclusion from official charts due to new regulations set by the Australian music industry. The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA), responsible for overseeing the nation’s music charts, recently declared that tracks created entirely by artificial intelligence (AI) will no longer be eligible for chart placement.
ARIA’s spokesperson, Andrew Knowles, stated that recordings must have substantial human involvement to qualify for the ARIA charts, emphasizing that tracks where generative AI primarily produces creative elements will be disqualified. Specifically, if AI generates lead vocals or instrumental parts rather than human performers, the recordings will not meet the eligibility criteria. However, compositions incorporating AI in a supplementary capacity alongside human performances will remain eligible.
In a bid to prevent stream or chart manipulation, ARIA retains the authority to remove recordings that raise concerns and mandates compliance with copyright laws. Furthermore, tracks created by generative AI will be ineligible for the prestigious ARIA Awards. ARIA’s CEO, Annabelle Herd, highlighted the importance of promoting human artistry in a rapidly evolving industry, expressing the organization’s commitment to preserving the integrity of music consumption reflected in the charts.
The regulatory changes follow the success of Josh Fawaz’s AI-assisted version of “Like a Prayer,” which achieved high rankings on the ARIA Top 20 Australian Singles chart. The controversial single, incorporating AI-generated vocals and drums, sparked debates regarding the ethical implications of AI in music production. Critics, including music producer Mitch Thomas, accused Fawaz of exclusively using AI to create music, leading to heated online exchanges.
As the new guidelines take effect, wholly AI-generated tracks will be removed from the ARIA charts starting next week. While some AI-assisted compositions will still be considered, Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer” did not meet the revised eligibility standards, confirmed by ARIA in response to inquiries.