Australia’s official music charts are drawing a clear line between AI-assisted creativity and music created primarily by artificial intelligence.

From this Friday, fully or largely AI-generated songs will no longer be eligible for the ARIA Charts, following changes to the Australian Recording Industry Association’s (ARIA) rules.

Music that uses AI as a supporting tool can still qualify, provided the final recording is considered substantially human-made and does not raise concerns about chart or streaming manipulation.

The decision comes after growing debate over the role of AI in the music industry. The issue gained attention after a song by Queensland DJ and producer Josh Fawaz, a cover of Madonna’s Like a Prayer, became one of Australia’s most-played radio tracks and reached No. 4 on two ARIA charts.

Fawaz said he used AI as a tool and later disclosed that AI-generated vocals and drums were used in the recording.

ARIA says the new rules are intended to give artists and the wider music industry greater clarity as AI becomes increasingly common in music production. The organisation has also indicated that songs can be removed from the charts, have their positions changed or have awards revoked if they are later found to be ineligible.

The move reflects a wider international debate about copyright, transparency and the protection of human creativity. Music industry organisations have raised concerns about AI systems being trained on artists’ work without permission, while musicians are increasingly questioning how their voices, styles and recordings may be replicated by technology.

The debate is unlikely to end with chart eligibility. As AI becomes more sophisticated, the music industry will need to decide not only whether AI was used, but how much human creativity remains behind the finished work.

For now, ARIA’s message is clear: AI can assist the artist, but it cannot replace the artist if a song wants a place on Australia’s official charts.