Australia’s recorded-music industry body, ARIA, is updating the rules for its official weekly charts to exclude songs that are wholly generated by artificial intelligence. The change takes effect on Friday in most reporting and is described as applying from Monday next week for chart eligibility, depending on the outlet’s phrasing.
ARIA says the policy aims to keep chart listings focused on music that is “substantially human made.” Under the guidelines, tracks can remain eligible if humans wrote the song and performed the lead vocal and primary instruments, while generative AI used in a supporting role does not automatically disqualify a track. ARIA also indicates eligible music must use legal AI services.
Several outlets reference the ongoing public debate sparked by AI-assisted music’s chart performance, including an AI-vocal and drum version of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” that reached high positions in Australia earlier this year. ARIA’s CEO Annabelle Herd says the chart should not reward unlicensed AI output, and the change aligns with international industry principles promoted by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which calls for tracks to be substantially human made. Some sources also note the related exclusion from ARIA awards.
