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A pair of acclaimed Kiwi writers have had their works excluded from consideration for the country's prestigious literature award due to the utilization of AI in creating their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction prize in October, but were disqualified the next thirty days because of new rules concerning artificial intelligence usage.

The publishing house of the two books, the publisher, explained that the prize committee amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for all entered title would have previously 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' Responses

Johnson voiced sympathy for the prize administrators, stating she shares serious worries 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 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 writers usually have minimal input in cover artwork and was unaware AI had been used for her cover, which displays a cat with human dentition.

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

The writer feared that the public might assume she used AI to compose her work, 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 statement, Smither said that the artists devoted considerable time crafting her book's art, which features a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter the artist's imagery.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that administers the Ockham awards, said the organization takes a “firm stance on the application 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,” Legat stated.

“However, the criteria apply to all entrants, regardless of their mana [status], and must be consistently applied to all.”

The decision to amend the artificial intelligence criteria was driven by a desire to support the artistic and copyright interests of the nation's authors and illustrators, she added.

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

Publishing Reflections

The publisher noted that publishing houses and writers regularly employ tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize AI, and this incident underscored the pressing need for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Smither and Stephanie Johnson have in the past been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both emphasized that covers get little attention during judging.

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

The use of AI in creative sectors has encountered increasing scrutiny as the technology progresses, with some organizations creating methods to counter its influence.