It may not be able to strum a banjo, but can a computer win the coveted golden guitar?
That’s the question facing the Australian Country Music Association after an AI-generated song was entered for the 2026 Golden Guitar Awards.
At the nominations announcement in Sydney on Tuesday, CMAA chair Dobie Newton said more than 280 judges made a quick decision to ban entries without human involvement after five fully generated (AI-generated) tracks were submitted.
“They had no connection to any famous artists or performers and, in the words of one of the judges, they were ‘rubbish’.”
Newton said.
Newton said it will be a challenge to determine how well AI technology will be accepted into awards over the next few years.
With these concerns in mind, Newton said he was gathering “widespread” input from within the industry.
Dobie-Newton said AI footprints are easy to spot because they are of poor quality. (Source: Tamworth Country Music Festival YouTube)
“We’re going to come up with an industry-wide solution for how generative AI work can be judged and implemented in awards,” he said.
”[The Golden Guitars] A merit-based award that recognizes and celebrates the creativity of songwriters, performers, recording artists and videographers. ”
People just need to apply
Other major music awards, such as the ARIA Awards and the American Grammys, have already established rules regarding the use of generative AI.
Grammy rules stipulate that some works featuring AI are eligible only if they have meaningful and important human authorship.
The ARIA Awards are open only to members of the Recording Industry Association of Australia and have strict entry criteria.
ARIA also opposed the introduction of a text data mining exception to Australian copyright law. This exception allows AI companies to freely train their models using local creations.
Amy and Sniffers on stage at this year’s ARIA Awards, which is open to ARIA members only. (AAP: Sitikusai Dittabon)
Newton said the CMAA is considering other organizations’ approaches to AI.
“What we need to do is make sure we protect the creative efforts of the people who are making great music,” he said.
“Fool the system”
Darwin-based country artist Sarah Storer has won 22 Golden Guitar Awards over her almost 30-year career and has been nominated for four more awards in 2026.
Sarah Storer says AI will take away the rewarding creative process. (supplied)
She told ABC New England Breakfast that she has concerns about the idea of AI being used more in music.
“As a songwriter, coming up with lines…there might be one or two words that you have to wait for days, but once you get them, it’s gold,” Storer said.
“There’s something really wonderful about creating small pieces that are 100 percent your own.”
”I think using AI feels like you’re tricking the system and typing your name into it. So it’s like teaching a big old pig something.”
John Williamson says AI music never has a soul. (supplied)
Country music legend John Williamson told ABC Newcastle Mornings there is no place for AI artists in music.
“They’re stealing. I’ve even had people send me songs that used my music as AI,” he said.
“There is no such thing as a soul, and there never will be.
“I’m a storyteller. I like to make people laugh, cry and be proud to be Australian. You don’t get that from AI.”
A recent study by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) revealed serious concerns about AI models stealing material and flooding the industry with content that deprives real artists of opportunities.
Two of the top Christian songs on iTunes are by AI artist “Solomon Ray.”
Does AI have creativity?
Philip McIntyre, professor of media and communication at Newcastle University, believes the use of AI in music production is subjective.
Whether the use of AI hurts music awards depends on an individual’s view of creativity, he said.
“Will the AI coder or the technology itself be the creative agent in the entire process?” he asked.
“I think it’s the former rather than the latter.”
Philip McIntyre believes that AI should only be used as a tool and not replace humans completely. (supplied)
Professor McIntyre said he believed AI could find acceptance in music production, similar to drum machines and synthesizers, but said there were limits.
“when [AI] “I think it’s a problem if things start to take over and take over and there’s almost no human intervention,” he said.
”People have always tried to achieve perfection, and it’s the mistakes they make along the way that lead to interesting works and new genres. The fusion of country music and blues music led to rock and roll.”
Dobie Newton believes that they have always been interested in music made by humans. (Source: Tamworth Country Music Festival YouTube)
CMAA Chair Dobie Newton agreed that while AI plays a role in the music creation process, there will always be a desire for music created by real artists.
“Generative AI is just the latest in a long line of developments,” he said.
“I remember when the first AI tool, the drum machine, was introduced to the music industry in the 80s.
“People said, ‘That’s it for drummers.’ [but] That’s not happening.
“There will always be people who are adamantly opposed to listening to or consuming music that is completely generated by AI. [and] Some people may not care. It’s basically in the beholder’s ear. ”
