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Two acclaimed Kiwi authors have had their books excluded from consideration for the country's prestigious literature prize because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in the tenth month, but were disqualified the following thirty days because of new guidelines regarding AI use.

The publishing house of both titles, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards committee updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for all submitted book would have already been completed.

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

Authors' Reactions

The author voiced understanding for the award organizers, saying she has serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic industries, but was let down by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” 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 usually have minimal input in cover artwork and was did not know AI had been employed for her book cover, which displays a cat with human teeth.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” the author explained, adding that unlike younger generations, she struggles to recognize computer-created graphics.

Johnson feared that readers might assume she employed AI to compose her book, which she categorically did not do.

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

In a comment, Elizabeth Smither said that the designers spent hours creating her publication's art, which includes a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, head of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, affirmed the trust maintains 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.

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

The decision to revise the AI guidelines was motivated by a aim to support the creative and copyright interests of the nation's writers and artists, she explained.

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

Industry Reflections

Wilson noted that publishing houses and writers regularly employ tools like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the urgent need for well-defined policies.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have previously been jurors for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal consideration during evaluation.

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

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