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A pair of acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their works excluded from contention for the nation's esteemed literary award due to the use of artificial intelligence in designing their book covers.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in the tenth month, but were disqualified the next thirty days because of new rules concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards organizers updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for every 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.

Writers' Reactions

The author expressed understanding for the prize administrators, stating she shares serious worries about artificial intelligence in creative industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“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.”

Johnson further stated that writers typically have minimal involvement in book artwork and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed for her cover, which features a feline 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, noting that unlike younger generations, she struggles to identify AI-generated images.

The writer feared that the public might think she employed AI to write her book, which she categorically denied.

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

In a comment, Smither expressed that the designers spent hours crafting her publication's art, which features a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Award Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a “firm stance on the use 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,” she said.

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

The move to revise the artificial intelligence criteria was driven by a aim to protect the creative and intellectual property interests of the nation's authors and artists, 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 writers regularly use tools like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this situation underscored the pressing need for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

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

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

The use of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has faced increasing scrutiny as the technology progresses, with some groups developing ways to counter its impact.