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Two acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their works disqualified from consideration for the country's prestigious literary prize because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following month due to new rules regarding AI use.

The publishing house of both books, the publisher, explained that the prize committee updated the guidelines in August, by which point the covers for all entered title would have previously been finalized.

“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 has serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic 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.”

Johnson further stated that writers usually have little involvement in cover design and was did not know AI had been used for her cover, which displays a cat with human dentition.

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

Johnson worried that the public might assume she used artificial intelligence to write her work, which she emphatically denied.

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

In a statement, Smither expressed that the artists devoted considerable time crafting her publication's art, which includes a locomotive and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by artist the artist's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that oversees the Ockham awards, said the trust takes a strong position on the application of artificial intelligence 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 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 AI guidelines was motivated by a aim to protect the artistic and copyright interests of the country's authors and illustrators, she explained.

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

Publishing Considerations

The publisher noted that publishers and authors regularly use software like Grammarly and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the pressing requirement for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both stressed that covers receive minimal consideration during judging.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative fields has encountered growing examination as the tech progresses, with some groups developing methods to address its influence.