Australia’s music charts ban AI-made songs amid backlash over Madonna cover

Australia's music industry has implemented a ban on AI-generated music from its official charts and awards. Tracks that use AI in a supporting role remain eligible, provided they meet new labeling requirements.
Why it matters
This policy reflects a growing global effort to protect human artists and define the boundaries of AI in creative industries.
Tracks that use AI in a ‘supporting role’ will still be eligible for inclusion in the official charts.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Under the labelling rules announced by a coalition of organisations, tracks may be labelled 'AI-Generated' or 'AI-Assisted' depending on the level of human involvement in the writing and recording process [File: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters] By John Power Published On 25 Aug 2026 25 Aug 2026 Australia’s official music charts have banned tracks mostly created by artificial intelligence (AI) following a backlash over a cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” that relied heavily on the burgeoning technology.
“Wholly AI-generated” music will be excluded from the charts under the changes, while tracks that use AI in a “supporting role” will still be eligible, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) said on Tuesday.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in