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A pair of award-winning New Zealand authors have had their books excluded from contention for the country's esteemed literary prize because of the use of artificial intelligence in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Details

The author's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction award in October, but were disqualified the next thirty days due to new guidelines regarding AI use.

The publisher of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize committee amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for every 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 noted.

Authors' Responses

Johnson expressed understanding for the prize administrators, saying she shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative industries, but was let down by the decision.

“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 added that authors usually have little involvement in book artwork and was did not know artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which displays 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,” the author said, noting that unlike younger generations, she struggles to identify computer-created graphics.

The writer worried that the public might think she used 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, Smither said that the artists devoted considerable time creating her publication's cover, which includes a steam train and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Position

The trust chair, chair of the award foundation that administers the prizes, affirmed the organization takes a “firm stance on the use 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,” Legat 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 AI criteria was driven by a desire to support the creative and intellectual property interests of the country's authors and illustrators, she added.

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

Publishing Considerations

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and writers often use tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this incident highlighted the urgent need for well-defined 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 sections of the prizes, and both emphasized that covers get minimal attention during judging.

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

The use of artificial intelligence in artistic fields has faced increasing examination as the technology advances, with some groups creating methods to counter its impact.