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A pair of award-winning New Zealand authors have had their works excluded from contention for the nation's prestigious literary award due to the use of AI in creating their cover art.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in October, but were ruled out the next thirty days because of new guidelines concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of both books, the publisher, explained that the awards committee amended the guidelines in August, by which time the covers for all entered book 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,” Wilson said.

Authors' Reactions

The author expressed understanding for the award administrators, saying she shares serious worries about AI in creative fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she commented. “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 authors typically have minimal input in book artwork and was unaware 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,” Johnson said, noting that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated images.

Johnson feared that readers might assume she employed artificial intelligence to write her work, which she emphatically 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 expressed that the artists devoted hours crafting her book's cover, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist the artist's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, affirmed the organization takes a strong position 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,” she said.

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

The move to revise the artificial intelligence guidelines was motivated by a desire to support the creative and intellectual property interests of the country's writers 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

The publisher pointed out that publishing houses and writers often use software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which utilize AI, and this situation highlighted the urgent requirement 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 served as judges for categories of the prizes, and both emphasized that cover designs receive minimal consideration during evaluation.

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

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