In a recent development, a rendition of Madonna’s popular song “Like a Prayer” which gained significant airplay on Australian radio last month may face exclusion from official music charts due to new regulations introduced by the Australian music industry.
The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA), responsible for overseeing the nation’s official music charts, has declared that tracks created entirely by artificial intelligence (AI) will no longer be permitted. The association stated that recordings must have a significant human involvement to be considered for the ARIA charts.
According to ARIA spokesperson Andrew Knowles, tracks where generative AI plays a primary role in creating the creative components will be disqualified. Instances where AI generates key parts like lead vocals or instruments will render the track ineligible. However, recordings featuring human performances at their core with minor AI enhancements will still be eligible for chart inclusion.
ARIA also highlighted its authority to remove recordings suspected of manipulating streams or charts, emphasizing compliance with relevant copyright laws. Tracks produced solely by generative AI will also be ineligible for the prestigious ARIA Awards.
ARIA’s Chief Executive Annabelle Herd expressed the need to preserve the human element in artistry amidst evolving technological landscapes. She emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency in the music consumption metrics represented by the ARIA charts.
The move follows the success of Brisbane DJ and producer Josh Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer,” featuring AI-generated vocals and drums, which spent several weeks on the ARIA Top 20 Australian Singles chart. Despite achieving high chart positions, the track faced criticism and debate over its use of generative AI.
Critics, including music producer Mitch Thomas, accused Fawaz of solely relying on AI for music production, sparking online controversy. Fawaz defended his work, stating that AI served as a tool rather than the sole creator of his music.
The new regulations are scheduled to take effect next week, with wholly AI-generated tracks being removed from the ARIA charts. However, AI-assisted music that meets the outlined criteria will continue to be considered for chart rankings.
ARIA confirmed that Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer” did not meet the updated eligibility standards, based on information provided by the artist.