ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd Addresses AI's Impact on Music at Hall of Fame Ceremony

Annabelle Herd, CEO of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), delivered a key address at the 2026 ARIA Hall of Fame induction ceremony held on Thursday evening, June 11. Her speech centered on the profound opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI) within the creative community, specifically the music industry.

Herd stressed the importance of a unified approach to AI, stating, "Our opportunity to shape how AI influences music and what Australian music looks like for generations to come relies on us all getting it right in this regulatory and political moment." She articulated that a successful integration of AI would benefit a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including artists, rightsholders, tech platforms, consumers, music fans, and the Australian economy.

The discussion follows a year-long inquiry by the Productivity Commission, which concluded in late 2025 with a report on "Harnessing data and digital technology." The commission found it "premature to make changes to Australia’s copyright laws." This aligned with Attorney-General Michelle Rowland’s prior announcement that the federal government would not weaken existing copyright protections, addressing concerns from creative sectors about potential exemptions for text and data mining (TDM).

Key figures within the music industry, including ARIA Award winners Missy Higgins and Julian Hamilton of The Presets, Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett, and 2026 ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Kate Ceberano, have actively advocated for rights holders on this issue.

ARIA also clarified its position on AI-generated music ahead of the 2026 ARIA Awards. Updated guidelines state that recordings incorporating AI elements may be submitted, provided a human is the primary creator, and their contribution is substantial and meaningful. AI cannot be the sole or central element of any submission, and any AI services or tools used must be properly authorized and lawful.

This year's ARIA Hall of Fame marked the first time the event was held as a standalone celebration since 2010, coinciding with the ARIA Awards' 40th birthday.

(Source: Billboard)