Fully AI-generated songs banned from the ARIA charts -…

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has introduced new rules disqualifying fully AI-generated tracks from its music charts. This policy shift follows significant industry backlash regarding the chart success of songs suspected of being created entirely through artificial intelligence platforms.

What happened

The regulatory change was prompted by a track from Brisbane-based DJ Josh Fawaz, whose cover of Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’ reached the number four spot on the ARIA Australian singles chart. Fellow producer Mitch Thomas alleged that the track was generated entirely using the AI platform Suno, noting that the production quality matched the characteristics of AI-synthesized music. While Fawaz maintained that he uses AI as a tool, ARIA clarified that songs featuring AI-generated lead vocals or key instrumental components are now considered ineligible for charting.

Under the new guidelines, any song not "substantially" made by a human, or one exhibiting signs of artificial streams or copyright infringement, may be excluded from the charts. ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd emphasized that while AI tools can be part of the creative process, music generated wholesale by services built on existing artists' recordings requires a different approach to protect human artistry.

This move aligns with broader international efforts to curb the impact of unauthorized AI music. In March 2026, Sony Music requested the removal of over 135,000 deepfake songs from streaming platforms. Those incidents involved voice-cloned tracks targeting major global artists, including Harry Styles, Beyoncé, Queen, and Bad Bunny. Additionally, Spotify has begun labeling accounts believed to be AI-generated to provide greater transparency to listeners. ARIA is now calling on radio stations and other industry stakeholders to implement similar standards to support human-led music production.