Australia’s ARIA Charts has refused to list songs made entirely from AI. The new rules aim to give priority to human creativity and prevent chart manipulation and copyright disputes related to AI-generated music.
AI Music: Australia’s music industry has taken a big decision regarding music created with AI. Australian Recording Industry Association i.e. ARIA has excluded from the Official Charts such tracks, whose creative elements have been generated by Generative AI. However, songs by artists using AI only as a supporting tool will be able to be included in the charts under certain conditions.
What did ARIA change on AI Music?
Australian Recording Industry Association i.e. ARIA has implemented new rules related to Generative AI in its Charts Code of Practice. These changes have come into effect from 31 August 2026. Under this, completely AI-generated recordings will not get a place in the ARIA Charts. Whereas such songs in which AI has been used only in a supporting role, they can be included in the chart if they fulfill the other rules.
ARIA’s main criteria is that a recording must have prominent human creative input. That is, the mere fact that a song uses AI does not automatically disqualify it. The real question is who has prepared the main creative elements of the song.
What is the difference between AI-generated and AI-assisted Music?
ARIA has set different categories to understand AI Music. If Generative AI created a song’s lead vocal or a key instrumental performance, that recording may be considered AI-generated and will not be eligible for the ARIA Charts. Similarly, recording can be excluded even if almost the entire music is ready based on the prompt.
In contrast, if humans remain involved in songwriting, lead vocals, and main instruments and AI is used in a limited supporting role, the recording will be considered AI-assisted. Such recordings can get a place in the chart if other conditions are fulfilled.
The use of AI in music production is also not completely banned. AI Mastering, Stem Separation, AI Drum Machines, some background samples, or effects where human performance remains central may be generally acceptable.
Why did the concern increase after the controversy?
This decision of ARIA came at a time when controversy over AI-assisted music increased in Australia. Queensland DJ and Producer Josh Fawaz’s dance cover of Madonna’s famous song Like a Prayer came into limelight in Australia. The song peaked at number four on two ARIA Charts in July and was later revealed to be using Generative AI in its vocals and drums.
The case raised the question whether if an AI-generated or largely AI-generated recording was allowed to compete in the Official Charts with human-made music, it might create an unequal playing field for artists.
ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd said artists are already using AI tools and the charts should keep up with technological changes. But music created entirely from services that are based on artists’ recordings is a different matter.
Is AI Music completely banned in Australia?
No. ARIA has not imposed a blanket ban on AI Music. Artists can use AI as a tool, provided that human creative contribution is the main thing in the recording and other chart rules are followed.
Under the new rules, artists will have to provide information about the use of Generative AI at the time of chart submission. If a track is later found to be non-compliant, ARIA may change its chart position, the recording may be removed, and the relevant accreditation or award may be withdrawn.
This policy debate is not limited to Australia only. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has also issued Global Principles giving priority to “Substantially Human Made” music for Official Music Charts. This indicates that in the future, the rules for chart eligibility and labeling for AI-generated music may become clearer in other music markets as well.