Songs created by AI banned from Australia's music charts

Songs created by AI banned from Australia's music chartsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Songs must be "substantially human made" to be included in Australia's chartsBySimon AtkinsonReporting fromCairnsPublishedJust nowSongs that are largely or wholly created by AI have been banned from Australia's music charts.From this week, all releases must be "substantially human made" to be eligible.The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) said the new code would help "promote the human nature of artistry".It follows a controversy around a cover of Madonna's Like A Prayer by Australian DJ Josh Fawaz which recently topped the ARIA dance singles chart and peaked at number 2 on the country's overall chart.The song has become a staple of commercial radio station playlists and been streamed more than 48 million times on Spotify alone.Fawaz later added generative AI credits to the song after a backlash.ARIA said that Australian artists were competing for attention "in the most crowded market in history" and that it was "not interested in promoting or celebrating the success of AI-generated music that does not contain human artistry".Under the new rules, AI assistance can still be used, but humans must have written the song, and have performed the lead vocal and primary instruments.AI can also still be used for mastering songs and, for example, using drum machines and auto tune.Earlier this year a song was banned from Sweden's music charts because it was created by AI.And in July, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) said AI guidelines would be rolled out in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia for use in their official charts.The updated code, based on the IFPI directive, also excludes music that raises "stream or chart manipulation concerns".ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd said: "These changes reflect our intent to r...