Peking Duk Poke Fun at Australian Radio and AI Music…

In July 2026, the Australian music industry found itself at the center of a debate regarding AI-generated content following the success of a cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” Produced by Australian DJ Josh Fawaz, the track reached the top of Australia’s national airplay chart and accumulated over 38 million Spotify streams. The recording’s widespread popularity, alongside its inclusion on Fawaz’s album Dance Like Nobody’s Watching, sparked intense discussion about the role of artificial intelligence in creative expression and copyright protection.

What happened

The controversy began after an ABC investigation prompted Fawaz to disclose his use of generative AI tools, specifically Suno, in the creation of the track. Fawaz acknowledged using the platform for both vocals and drums, characterizing AI as a tool to provide good music to his listeners. This admission drew criticism from experts like RMIT senior research fellow Sam Whiting, who questioned the value of human expression in an era of highly capable AI generators. The incident coincided with broader industry concerns, leading Spotify to introduce a beta feature requiring artists to declare the use of generative AI in their work.

In response to these developments and the ongoing debate regarding AI companies training models on copyrighted material, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the creation of a new Office of AI and Australian Standards on July 15th. Industry leaders, including APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston and ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd, supported the government’s stance, emphasizing that creators must retain control over their work and that AI development must involve proper licensing and respect for rights holders. The government has ruled out a copyright exception that would allow AI companies to train models on protected works without permission, signaling a push for industry-to-industry licensing agreements.