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Two acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works disqualified from consideration for the nation's esteemed literature award due to the use of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Disqualification Particulars

The author's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following thirty days because of recently introduced rules concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of both books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the prize organizers updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the covers for all entered 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.

Writers' Responses

The author expressed sympathy for the award administrators, stating she has deep concerns about AI in creative industries, but was let down by the ruling.

“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.”

Johnson further stated that authors typically have minimal input in cover design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which features a cat with human teeth.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” the author explained, noting that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she finds it difficult to recognize AI-generated images.

Johnson feared that readers might think she employed AI to write her book, 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, Smither said that the designers spent hours creating her book's art, which includes a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter the artist's figures.

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

Award Trust's Position

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that administers the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a strong position 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 said.

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

The decision to amend the AI guidelines was driven by a aim to support the artistic and intellectual property interests of the country'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

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and writers regularly employ tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which utilize AI, and this incident highlighted the pressing requirement for carefully crafted policies.

“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 stressed that cover designs get little 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 growing examination as the tech advances, with some organizations creating ways to address its impact.