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Two award-winning Kiwi authors have had their books excluded from contention for the nation's esteemed literary prize because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in October, but were disqualified the following month because of new rules concerning AI use.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards organizers updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs 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 noted.

Authors' Reactions

The author voiced sympathy for the prize administrators, saying she has serious worries about artificial intelligence in creative fields, but was disappointed 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 little input in book artwork and was did not know AI had been used for her cover, which features a feline with human dentition.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” Johnson said, adding that unlike younger generations, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated images.

The writer worried that the public might assume she used AI to compose her work, which she emphatically denied.

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

In a comment, Elizabeth Smither said that the artists devoted hours crafting her publication's art, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's imagery.

“My primary concern is for the designers: their careful, detailed work … is not being respected,” Smither stated.

Prize Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, said the trust takes a “firm stance on the use of AI in publications.”

“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,” Legat stated.

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

The decision to revise the AI criteria was driven by a desire to protect the creative and intellectual property rights of the nation's authors and illustrators, she explained.

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

Publishing Reflections

Wilson pointed out that publishers and authors often use tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the urgent requirement for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have previously served as judges for categories of the prizes, and both emphasized that cover designs receive little attention during evaluation.

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

The application of AI in artistic fields has encountered growing examination as the tech advances, with some organizations creating methods to counter its influence.