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Two acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their books disqualified from contention for the country's prestigious literature award due to the use of AI in creating their book covers.

Disqualification Details

The author's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following thirty days because of new guidelines regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publisher of both titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the awards committee amended the criteria in the eighth month, by which point the covers for all entered title would have previously 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

The author expressed understanding for the prize organizers, stating she shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she commented. “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.”

Johnson added that writers typically have minimal involvement in cover artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her book cover, which features a cat with human dentition.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” Johnson 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.

“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 artists spent hours creating her publication's art, which features a steam train and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, affirmed the organization takes a “firm stance on the use of artificial intelligence 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,” Legat stated.

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

The move to revise the AI criteria was driven by a desire to support the creative and copyright 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

The publisher pointed out that publishers and authors regularly use tools like Grammarly and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted 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 Johnson have previously served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal attention during judging.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has encountered increasing examination as the technology progresses, with some groups developing methods to address its influence.