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A pair of acclaimed Kiwi writers have had their books disqualified from contention for the nation's prestigious literature prize because of the utilization of AI in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the next month due to recently introduced rules regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publishing house of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the awards committee updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for every submitted book would have already 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.

Writers' Reactions

The author expressed understanding for the award organizers, saying she shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“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 writers typically have minimal involvement in book artwork 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,” the author explained, noting that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated graphics.

The writer worried that the public might assume she used artificial intelligence to compose her work, which she emphatically denied.

“Rather than discussing my book's themes and inspirations, we're focused on this AI issue, which I despise.”

In a statement, Smither expressed that the artists spent hours creating her publication's cover, which features a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that administers the prizes, said the organization takes a “firm stance on the application of artificial intelligence 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,” Legat stated.

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

The decision to amend the AI criteria was driven by a desire to protect the artistic and intellectual property interests of the nation's authors 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

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and writers often employ tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this situation underscored the pressing requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Stephanie Johnson have in the past been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both emphasized that cover designs receive little consideration during judging.

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

The use of AI in creative sectors has encountered growing scrutiny as the tech progresses, with some groups developing ways to address its influence.