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A pair of award-winning Kiwi authors have had their works excluded from consideration for the country's prestigious literary award because of the use of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction award in October, but were ruled out the next thirty days because of recently introduced guidelines regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards organizers updated the criteria in August, by which time the cover designs for all 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,” the publisher said.

Writers' Responses

Johnson expressed understanding for the award organizers, stating she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” 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 writers usually have little involvement in cover design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed for her book 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,” Johnson explained, adding that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she finds it difficult to identify computer-created graphics.

Johnson feared that the public might assume she used AI to compose 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, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the designers spent considerable time creating her publication's cover, which features a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Prize Committee's Position

The trust chair, head of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, said the organization takes a strong position on the use 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 move to amend the artificial intelligence guidelines was driven by a desire to support the artistic and copyright 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 noted that publishing houses and authors often use tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted the urgent requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have previously served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs receive little consideration during evaluation.

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

The use of AI in artistic sectors has faced growing examination as the tech advances, with some groups creating methods to address its influence.