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A pair of acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works disqualified from consideration for the nation's prestigious literature prize due to the use of artificial intelligence in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction award in the tenth month, but were disqualified the following month due to recently introduced rules regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publishing house of the two books, the publisher, stated that the awards committee amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for every 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 noted.

Authors' Reactions

The author voiced sympathy for the award organizers, saying she shares deep concerns 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. “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 further stated that authors typically have little involvement in book artwork and was did not know artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which displays a cat with human teeth.

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

Johnson feared that the public might assume she employed AI to compose her book, which she emphatically did not do.

“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 considerable time crafting her publication's art, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by artist the artist's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

The trust chair, head of the book awards trust that administers the prizes, said the organization maintains a strong position on the application of AI in publications.”

“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 stated.

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

The decision to revise the artificial intelligence criteria was motivated by a aim to protect the artistic and intellectual property interests of the nation's writers 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 publishing houses and authors regularly use software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted the urgent need for carefully crafted guidelines.

“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 served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal attention during judging.

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” Smither concluded.

The use of AI in creative fields has faced increasing scrutiny as the technology progresses, with some groups creating methods to address its impact.