Weeks after announcing they were "working through" what a change could look like, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) have confirmed just how the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry's (IFPI) new AI music standards will apply to the ARIA Charts.
The IFPI's new system was announced last month, and is designed to give listeners clearer information about what they’re hearing and whether songs they listen to contain generative AI.
Now, ARIA have confirmed that tracks that are wholly generated with artificial intelligence will not be eligible for the ARIA Charts, but have noted that recordings that use generative AI in a "supporting role" do remain eligible for chart placement.
The new changes are outlined in the newly-updated ARIA Charts Code of Practice, and will take effect from the ARIA Chart dated Monday, August 31st (published this Friday, August 28th).
According to the code, recordings created with the use of generative AI are only eligible where they are "substantially human made", and have raised no concerns in regards to the manipulation of streams or the charts.
"These changes reflect our intent to remain dynamic and promote the human nature of artistry in what is – to say the least – a rapidly developing space," said ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd. "Artists already use AI tools in their work, the Charts can and should evolve to keep room for that, but music generated wholesale by services built on artists’ recordings is a different matter.
"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," Herd continues. "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."
These changes come about following months of discussion relating to AI content in music.
Last year, English outfit HAVEN. made headlines after their song I Run was removed from streaming services following allegations of being AI-generated.
While it was removed from the UK charts, no such removal took place in Australia, with the disappearance from the UK chart seemingly relating to AI-generated content "which is believed to potentially be infringing".
More recently, local discussions swirled regarding the rework of Madonna's Like A Prayer by Australian producer Josh Fawaz.
Though Fawaz wouldn’t directly respond to these claims and instead note the technology was simply used “as a tool" in pursuit of "providing my listeners with good music", AI credits were later added to the track on Spotify.
Alongside the new changes relating to AI-generated content, where ARIA may determine a recording to be ineligible, a press release notes that they may decline to accept it for survey, and may have it excluded or removed the charts prospectively or retrospectively, meaning that chart positions may be adjusted where necessary, accreditations withdrawn, and any potential ARIA #1 Awards returned.
Additionally, these recordings would also not be eligible for any ARIA Awards.
ARIA have also noted that in the face of emerging technology, and as AI policies evolve, so too will they keep their Code under review going forward.
