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Two award-winning Kiwi writers have had their works disqualified from consideration for the country's esteemed literature prize because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in designing their book covers.

Disqualification Details

The author's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in October, but were ruled out the following thirty days due to recently introduced rules regarding AI usage.

The publisher of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards committee amended the criteria in August, by which point the covers for all entered title would have already been finalized.

“It was, therefore, far too late for any publisher to have taken this clause into account in their design briefs,” the publisher said.

Authors' Reactions

Johnson voiced understanding for the prize organizers, stating she has serious worries about AI in creative 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.”

She further stated that writers usually have minimal input in book artwork and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed for her book cover, which features a cat with human teeth.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” Johnson said, adding that unlike younger age groups, she struggles to identify AI-generated graphics.

Johnson worried that the public might assume she used artificial intelligence to write her work, which she emphatically denied.

“Instead of talking about my book … and what the inspiration was, we are talking about bloody AI, which I hate.”

In a statement, Smither said that the designers devoted considerable time crafting her book's art, which includes a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Award Trust's Stance

The trust chair, chair of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, said the organization maintains a strong position on the use of AI in books.”

“The trust does not take lightly a decision that prevents the latest works of two of New Zealand’s most esteemed writers from being considered for the 2026 award,” she stated.

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

The decision to revise the artificial intelligence criteria was motivated by a desire to protect the creative and intellectual property rights of the country's writers and illustrators, she added.

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

Industry Reflections

Wilson noted that publishers and authors regularly employ tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the pressing requirement 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 previously been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal consideration during judging.

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” Smither concluded.

The application of AI in creative fields has encountered growing examination as the technology progresses, with some groups creating methods to address its impact.