ARIA Bans Wholly AI Generated Music From Official Australian Charts

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which runs Australia’s official music charts, has updated its policy regarding chart eligibility for recordings developed using generative artificial intelligence.

Why it matters:

• Wholly AI-generated tracks will not be eligible for the ARIA Charts.

• Recordings that use generative AI in a supporting role, and that don’t raise any concerns around stream or chart manipulation, remain eligible.

• ARIA will apply IFPI’s global principles on recordings developed using generative AI to determine chart eligibility.

• To distinguish AI-generated recordings from AI-assisted ones, ARIA will use the definitions set out in the labeling standard announced by the global music community in July.

• The changes come into effect this Friday, August 28.

Ineligible releases:

• If a recording is deemed ineligible, ARIA may decline to accept it for survey, and exclude or remove it from the charts prospectively or retrospectively.

• It may also adjust chart positions, withdraw accreditations, and revoke or request the return of any ARIA #1 Award.

• The recordings will also be ineligible for an ARIA Award, Australia’s premier music awards.

What they said:

• Annabelle Herd, ARIA CEO: “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.”