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Two acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their books excluded from contention for the nation's esteemed literary award because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Disqualification Details

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in October, but were disqualified the next month due to new guidelines concerning AI use.

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

Authors' Responses

Johnson expressed sympathy for the prize organizers, saying she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative fields, but was let down 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.”

Johnson further stated that authors typically have little involvement in book artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which features a feline 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,” Johnson said, noting that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she finds it difficult to identify computer-created images.

The writer worried that the public might think she employed AI to compose her work, which she categorically 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 said that the artists spent hours crafting her book's cover, which features a steam train and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, affirmed the trust maintains a strong position on the use of AI in publications.”

“We do not make such a decision lightly, one that bars the newest works by two of New Zealand's most respected authors from the 2026 prize,” she said.

“Nevertheless, the rules apply equally to every participant, no matter their standing, and must be enforced uniformly.”

The decision to revise the AI criteria was motivated by a desire to protect the creative and intellectual property rights of the nation's authors and artists, she explained.

“As AI evolves, there may well be a need for the trust to revisit and develop the criteria further.”

Industry Considerations

The publisher pointed out that publishing houses and writers often employ software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which utilize AI, and this situation underscored the urgent need for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have previously been jurors for categories of the prizes, and both emphasized that cover designs get little attention during evaluation.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in artistic fields has encountered growing examination as the technology progresses, with some organizations developing ways to counter its influence.