Australia's music charts have a new rule. Songs must now be "substantially human made" to be eligible for chart placement.
The change comes from the Australian Recording Industry Association, known as ARIA. It took effect this week.
The update follows a dispute over a song by Australian DJ Josh Fawaz. His AI-assisted cover of Madonna's "Like A Prayer" topped the ARIA dance singles chart. It also reached number two on the overall chart.
The song has been streamed more than 48 million times on Spotify. It also became a regular pick on commercial radio stations.
Fawaz added AI credits to the track only after people raised concerns about how it was made.
What the New Rules Require
Under the updated code, artists can still use AI tools while making music. But a human must write the song.
A person must also perform the lead vocal. The main instruments must be played by a human too.
AI can still be used for smaller tasks. This includes mastering tracks, using drum machines, or applying auto tune.
Artists will need to declare any AI use when they submit a song for chart consideration. ARIA says it can adjust chart rankings later if it turns out a song broke the rules.
If an AI-made song reached number one, ARIA said it may ask for any award tied to that placement to be returned. Artists will have a chance to challenge a decision if their song is excluded.
Other Countries Are Making Similar Moves
Australia is not the first country to act on this issue. Earlier this year, Sweden banned a song from its charts because it was made entirely by AI.
In July, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said it would roll out AI guidelines for charts in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Australia's new code is based on that same directive.
ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd said the goal is to protect artists in a crowded market. She said the organization does not want to promote AI-generated songs that lack human creativity.
Herd said artists already use AI tools as part of their process. But she said music built entirely on other artists' recordings, without licensing, is a separate issue.
Some artists have voiced support for the change. Australian electronic duo Peking Duk shared an AI-assisted version of their 2014 song "High" on Instagram last month.
They joked that they had to re-record it with AI so Australian radio stations would play it. Band member Adam Hyde later said AI-generated music takes away from real human experience.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also spoken on the topic. In July, he promised strong protections for creatives against AI.
Albanese said writers and musicians should get to choose if their work is used to train AI systems. He said using their work without permission or payment would amount to theft.
