A popular rendition of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” on Australian radio may face exclusion from official music charts due to new regulations set by the Australian music industry. The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) recently declared that tracks entirely produced by artificial intelligence (AI) will no longer be permitted on the ARIA charts. ARIA specified that recordings must have significant human involvement to be eligible for chart inclusion.
According to ARIA spokesperson Andrew Knowles, tracks where AI generates the majority of creative elements, such as lead vocals or primary instruments, will be disqualified. However, recordings where AI supplements human performances in a minor capacity will still be considered. ARIA also emphasized that manipulated streams or chart data could lead to the removal of recordings, ensuring compliance with copyright laws. Moreover, music generated by AI will not be eligible for prestigious awards like the ARIA Awards.
ARIA’s CEO, Annabelle Herd, explained that these changes aim to uphold the authenticity of artistry in a rapidly evolving industry. The organization seeks to maintain transparency in music consumption while discouraging unlicensed AI-generated content that undermines the essence of recorded music.
The decision follows the success of Brisbane DJ and producer Josh Fawaz’s AI-infused version of “Like a Prayer,” which sparked controversy for its extended presence on the ARIA charts. Despite reaching high rankings, the track faced backlash from industry professionals like music producer Mitch Thomas, who criticized Fawaz for relying solely on AI tools like the gen AI platform Suno. Fawaz defended his work, stating that AI was only a supplementary tool in his music production.
Effective next Monday, the new regulations will prohibit entirely AI-generated tracks from the ARIA charts. However, music involving AI assistance to a lesser extent will still be considered for chart placement. ARIA confirmed that Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer” did not meet eligibility criteria based on information provided by the artist.