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Two acclaimed Kiwi authors have had their books disqualified from contention for the country's prestigious literary award because of the use of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Exclusion Details

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following month due to recently introduced guidelines concerning AI use.

The publishing house of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize committee amended the criteria in August, by which point the covers for every entered title would have already been finalized.

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

Authors' Reactions

The author expressed sympathy for the prize organizers, stating she shares serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic industries, but was disappointed by the decision.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she remarked. “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 added that authors usually have minimal input in book design and was did not know AI had been used for her 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,” Johnson explained, noting that unlike younger generations, she finds it difficult to identify computer-created images.

Johnson worried that the public might assume she employed artificial intelligence to compose her book, which she categorically 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, Elizabeth Smither said that the artists devoted considerable time crafting her book's art, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Award Committee's Position

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that administers the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a “firm stance 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,” Legat stated.

“However, the criteria apply to all entrants, regardless of their mana [status], and must be consistently applied to all.”

The decision to revise the AI criteria was driven by a aim to protect the artistic and copyright rights of the country's writers and artists, she added.

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

Industry Reflections

The publisher pointed out that publishers and authors regularly use tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this incident underscored the pressing need 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 sections of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal consideration during evaluation.

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

The application of AI in artistic fields has encountered increasing scrutiny as the tech advances, with some organizations developing methods to counter its influence.