Australia has drawn up a new rule that bars all songs entirely produced by artificial intelligence from its official music charts, insisting that tracks must be "substantially human made" to qualify for chart placement.
The decision was prompted by a high‑profile remix of Madonna’s "Like A Prayer" by DJ Josh Fawaz, which topped the ARIA dance singles chart and climbed to number two on the main chart after a controversy over the use of generative AI. An apology added an AI credit after backlash from the music community.
ARIA’s chief executive, Annabelle Herd, said the change aims to protect the authenticity of artistic expression and prevent any displacement of Australian musicians in an increasingly crowded market. She added that AI can still aid in mastering or use auto‑tune, but full AI composition will not count.
Indigenous musicians have embraced the ban as a safeguard for cultural music traditions. Many Indigenous artists fear that AI models trained on tribal songs without consent could replicate sacred melodies and remove the human touch that gives them meaning. By enforcing a human‑made threshold, the rule also limits the potential for AI to distort or dilute cultural expressions.
Conversely, some Indigenous voices see AI as a tool that could help spread their music globally, helping to keep stories alive in new formats, provided the technology is used responsibly and with proper permission. The push for clear guidelines echoes earlier calls from Australia’s Prime Minister to protect creators’ rights over AI training data.
Under the new framework, artists must now declare AI involvement when submitting work for chart consideration. Charts may also adjust positions retrospectively if the extent of AI influence is later discovered, and awards for a chart‑topping position could require return.
Indigenous electronic duo Peking Duk, who previously released an AI‑assisted version of their 2014 hit, have praised the rule for preserving human authenticity while encouraging measured use of AI. They have spoken out against the idea that fully automated music should earn chart recognition.
The policy reflects a broader international trend, with Sweden banning an AI‑generated song from its charts and the IFPI rolling out guidelines for Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. What these rules may mean for the future of music production remains to be seen, but the conversation has already forced Indigenous communities to articulate their stance on AI’s role in preserving cultural heritage.
