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

Exclusion Particulars

The author's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following thirty days due to new rules concerning AI usage.

The publishing house of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards organizers amended the criteria in August, by which point the covers for every submitted title would have already been finalized.

“Consequently, it was much too late for publishers to incorporate this new rule into their design plans,” the publisher said.

Authors' Responses

Johnson expressed understanding for the award organizers, stating she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative industries, but was let down 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.”

She further stated that authors typically have minimal input in book design and was did not know AI had been used for her book cover, which features a cat with human teeth.

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

Johnson worried that readers might think she employed AI to write her book, which she emphatically 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 spent hours creating her publication's cover, which includes a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter the artist's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Position

The trust chair, head of the book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains 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,” 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 aim to support the artistic and intellectual property rights of the nation's authors and artists, she explained.

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

Industry Reflections

The publisher pointed out that publishing houses and authors regularly employ software like Grammarly and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this incident highlighted the urgent need for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Stephanie Johnson have in the past served as judges for categories of the prizes, and both stressed that covers get little consideration during evaluation.

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

The use of AI in creative sectors has faced growing scrutiny as the technology progresses, with some groups developing methods to counter its impact.