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Two acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their books excluded from contention for the nation's prestigious literature award because of the utilization of AI in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Details

The author's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in the tenth month, but were disqualified the following month due to recently introduced guidelines regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publisher of the two titles, the publisher, stated that the awards committee updated the guidelines in August, by which time the cover designs for all 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.

Writers' Reactions

Johnson expressed understanding for the award administrators, stating she has deep concerns about AI in artistic industries, but was let down by the ruling.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she remarked. “This marks my 22nd publication and my fourth short story anthology. These tales … were composed over roughly two decades, making this a particularly significant work for me.”

Johnson added that authors typically have little involvement in book artwork and was did not know AI had been employed for her book cover, which displays a feline with human dentition.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” the author explained, adding that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to recognize computer-created graphics.

The writer worried that the public might assume she employed AI 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 considerable time crafting her book's cover, which includes a steam train and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by painter Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that administers the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a “firm stance on the use of artificial intelligence in books.”

“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 stated.

“Nevertheless, the rules apply equally to every participant, no matter their standing, and must be enforced uniformly.”

The move to amend the AI guidelines was driven by a aim to protect the creative and intellectual property interests of the country's authors and artists, she explained.

“As AI evolves, there may well be a need for the trust to revisit and develop the criteria further.”

Publishing Reflections

Wilson pointed out that publishers and writers regularly use tools like Grammarly and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted the urgent need for well-defined guidelines.

“As an industry, we must work together to ensure that this situation does not happen again.”

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have in the past been jurors for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs receive little attention during judging.

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” the author said.

The use of artificial intelligence in artistic sectors has faced increasing scrutiny as the technology advances, with some groups developing ways to counter its impact.