In a recent development, a rendition of Madonna’s popular song “Like a Prayer” that gained significant airplay on Australian radio now faces exclusion from official charts due to new regulations established by the Australian music industry. The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA), responsible for overseeing the country’s official music charts, has declared that tracks created entirely by artificial intelligence will no longer be permitted.
According to ARIA spokesperson Andrew Knowles, the association has mandated that recordings must possess a substantial human element to be considered for the ARIA charts. Tracks in which generative AI has predominantly contributed to the creative aspects will be disqualified. Specifically, if AI has generated key components such as lead vocals or instruments rather than a human performer, the track will not meet the chart eligibility criteria.
Moreover, ARIA has the authority to remove recordings suspected of manipulating streams or charts, ensuring compliance with copyright laws. Recordings produced through generative AI technologies will also be ineligible for the prestigious ARIA Awards. ARIA’s Chief Executive, Annabelle Herd, emphasized that these adjustments aim to emphasize the human aspect of artistry in a swiftly evolving landscape while maintaining transparency in chart rankings.
The enforcement of these rules follows the controversy surrounding DJ and producer Josh Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer,” featuring vocals and drums generated by AI. Despite achieving high positions on the ARIA charts, the track sparked debates and criticism regarding the use of generative AI in music production. Notably, music producer Mitch Thomas publicly criticized Fawaz online, alleging that his music was entirely AI-generated.
In response to the scrutiny, Fawaz defended his approach, stating that AI serves as a tool in his music creation process. However, Fawaz’s cover of “Like a Prayer” is among the compositions that will be excluded from the ARIA charts under the new regulations, set to be implemented next week. While wholly AI-generated tracks will be banned, music with some AI assistance may still meet the eligibility criteria, as confirmed by ARIA to CBC News.
