Australia’s music industry is set to ban a cover of Madonna’s popular song “Like a Prayer” from official charts due to new regulations. The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) recently announced that tracks entirely created by artificial intelligence will no longer qualify for the country’s official music charts. ARIA stated that recordings must be predominantly human-made to be eligible for the ARIA charts, emphasizing that tracks where generative AI plays a significant role in creating the music will not be considered.
In response to concerns about potential chart manipulation, ARIA will also have the authority to remove recordings that do not comply with copyright laws. Furthermore, music produced by generative AI will not be eligible for the prestigious ARIA Awards. ARIA’s chief executive, Annabelle Herd, highlighted the importance of promoting human artistry in a rapidly evolving music landscape.
The decision follows the controversy surrounding Brisbane DJ and producer Josh Fawaz’s rendition of “Like a Prayer,” which utilized AI-generated vocals and drums. Despite spending several weeks on the ARIA Top 20 Australian Singles chart, Fawaz’s version faced criticism for its heavy reliance on generative AI. The debate intensified when music producer Mitch Thomas accused Fawaz of creating music entirely with AI, sparking a heated online exchange between the two.
Starting next Monday, wholly AI-generated tracks will be prohibited from the ARIA charts, while AI-assisted music may still be considered. ARIA confirmed that Fawaz’s cover of “Like a Prayer” did not meet the eligibility criteria based on information provided by the artist.