ARIA charts’ controversial AI ban could claim biggest song of the year as first victim

A controversial ban on AI-generated music has been implemented by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) today, which could potentially derail one of the biggest hits of the year.

The ban means any song “wholly generated” by AI will be excluded from the ARIA charts. It could spell bad news for Aussie DJ Josh Fawaz, who used generative AI to help remix his hugely successful version of Madonna’s Like A Prayer.

The remix skyrocketed Fawaz to fame, with the track gaining more than 48 million streams on Spotify and cracking the ARIA charts’ top 10. It was also the most played song on Australian radio last month.

However, the track stirred up controversy, with people arguing the vocals sounded robotic, sparking suspicions of AI use. The DJ later added generative AI in the credits of the song for the vocal and drum sections.

The song originally only included credits for songwriters Patrick Leonard, Pierre Bordacarre and Madonna (which is standard for a sample or remix) as well as Fawaz named as the producer and performer.

It’s unclear whether ARIA will disqualify his song from the charts, but it currently sits at number four on Australia’s Top 10 tracks of the week.

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ARIA released a statement today outlining its new principles for using generative AI, stating they are creating the new guidelines in line with the global recording industry body IFPI.

“Wholly AI-generated tracks will not be eligible for the ARIA Charts. Recordings that use generative AI in a supporting role remain eligible,” it reads.

The rules clearly outline what is acceptable. It must be “substantially human made,” and must not “raise stream or chart manipulation concerns.”

ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd said the changes are an effort to protect the artistry of music.

“These changes reflect our intent to remain dynamic and promote the human nature of artistry in what is – to say the least – a rapidly developing space,” she said.

“Artists already use AI tools in their work, the Charts can and should evolve to keep room for that, but music generated wholesale by services built on artists’ recordings is a different matter.”

“The ARIA Charts will always remain a transparent measurement of the music Australia consumes, but a chart that rewards unlicensed AI output would undercut the very basis of the recorded music we exist to represent.

“We have worked closely with IFPI and a number of international industry bodies to understand how to best implement these changes in a way that is both clear and future-facing.

“This gives everyone who releases music in Australia a clear rule to work to. We call on all parties who have a role in deciding the music played and promoted to Australian audiences, particularly radio, to support human artistry and implement similar changes across their own codes.”

The reaction to the announcement has been mixed. Some support the move, while others say it will send the Aussie music scene backwards.

Meanwhile, Fawaz is getting ready to play his first round of shows in America. The DJ often credits the remix for “changing his life.”

nine.com.au has contacted Fawaz for comment on this story.