ARIA draws line in the sand on AI-generated music in Australian charts
The Australian Recording Industry Association has excluded tracks wholly created by artificial intelligence from its official charts, a move aligned with global industry recommendations to protect human artistry.
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has announced that tracks wholly generated by artificial intelligence are no longer eligible for inclusion on the nation’s music charts. The new Code of Practice takes effect this Friday, marking a formal shift in how the industry defines chartable content in the age of generative technology.
Under the revised rules, songs that utilise generative AI as a support tool remain eligible for the charts, provided they are “substantially human made” and do not raise concerns regarding stream or chart manipulation. This distinction aims to preserve the integrity of the charts while acknowledging the increasing role of AI in the creative process.
The policy also extends to the ARIA Awards, where tracks ineligible for the charts will similarly be excluded from consideration. This dual application ensures that the same standards of human contribution apply to both commercial performance and industry recognition.
ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd stated that the move is designed to protect human artistry and prevent unlicensed AI output from undercutting recorded music. She noted that while the ARIA Charts aim to be a transparent measurement of the music Australia consumes, a chart that rewards unlicensed AI output would undermine the foundation of the recorded music industry.
Herd further called on other stakeholders, particularly radio stations, to implement similar changes in their own codes to support human artistry. This broader appeal suggests that ARIA views its new policy as a catalyst for wider industry alignment rather than an isolated regulatory step.
The announcement aligns with recent recommendations from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which outlined guidelines for AI use in July. It also follows calls from major labels, including Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group, which recently urged charting organisations to prohibit the inclusion of AI-generated content.
