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Two acclaimed Kiwi authors have had their works disqualified from consideration for the country's esteemed literature award because of the use of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Exclusion Particulars

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

The publisher of both titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the awards organizers amended the criteria in August, by which time the covers for every 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,” Wilson noted.

Authors' Reactions

Johnson voiced sympathy for the prize organizers, stating she has deep concerns about AI in artistic fields, but was let down by the ruling.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she commented. “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 writers usually have little input in cover design and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her cover, which features a cat with human-like dentition.

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

The writer worried that readers might assume she employed artificial intelligence to compose her book, which she emphatically 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 comment, Smither expressed that the artists spent hours crafting her book's art, which includes a steam train and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired 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 Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that administers the prizes, affirmed the organization takes a “firm stance on the use of artificial intelligence in books.”

“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 move to revise the AI guidelines was driven by a aim to protect the artistic and intellectual property interests of the nation's writers and artists, she added.

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

Publishing Considerations

The publisher pointed out that publishing houses and writers regularly employ software like Grammarly and Photoshop, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the pressing requirement for well-defined policies.

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

Both Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously been jurors for categories of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs get little consideration during judging.

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

The use of artificial intelligence in artistic fields has faced growing scrutiny as the technology advances, with some organizations developing ways to address its influence.