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Two award-winning New Zealand writers have had their books excluded from contention for the country's esteemed literary prize because of the utilization of AI in creating their cover art.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following thirty days because of new guidelines concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of the two titles, the publisher, explained that the awards committee amended the criteria in August, by which point the covers for every entered book would have already been finalized.

“Consequently, it was much too late for publishers to incorporate this new rule into their design plans,” the publisher noted.

Authors' Responses

The author expressed understanding for the prize administrators, stating she shares serious worries about AI in creative industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she remarked. “It’s my 22nd book, and it is my fourth collection of short stories. These stories … were written over a sort of 20 year period, so for me, it’s quite an important book.”

She added that writers typically have little involvement in cover artwork and was unaware AI had been used for her cover, which features a cat with human-like teeth.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” the author explained, adding that unlike younger generations, she struggles to identify computer-created images.

The writer feared that the public might assume she used artificial intelligence to compose her work, which she categorically denied.

“Rather than discussing my book's themes and inspirations, we're focused on this AI issue, which I despise.”

In a comment, Smither said that the artists spent hours creating her publication's cover, which includes a steam train and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

“It is them I am most concerned about: that their meticulous work … is being disrespected,” Smither remarked.

Prize Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that administers the Ockham awards, affirmed the organization takes a “firm stance on the application of AI in publications.”

“We do not make such a decision lightly, one that bars the newest works by two of New Zealand's most respected authors from the 2026 prize,” Legat said.

“However, the criteria apply to all entrants, regardless of their mana [status], and must be consistently applied to all.”

The decision to revise the artificial intelligence criteria was motivated by a aim to support the creative and intellectual property rights of the nation's authors and illustrators, she added.

“With artificial intelligence advancing, the trust may need to review and refine these criteria in the future.”

Publishing Reflections

The publisher noted that publishers and writers regularly use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this incident highlighted the urgent need for carefully crafted guidelines.

“Our industry must collaborate to prevent a recurrence of this scenario.”

Both Smither and Johnson have in the past been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both emphasized that cover designs get minimal consideration during evaluation.

“The contents and the close reading were everything,” Smither concluded.

The application of AI in artistic fields has encountered growing scrutiny as the technology advances, with some organizations developing ways to address its influence.