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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 Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the next month due to new rules concerning AI use.

The publisher of the two books, the publisher, explained that the awards committee updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which point the cover designs for every entered title would have already been completed.

“It was, therefore, far too late for any publisher to have taken this clause into account in their design briefs,” Wilson noted.

Writers' Responses

The author expressed understanding for the award administrators, saying she shares serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” 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 involvement in cover artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her book cover, which displays a cat 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, adding that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated graphics.

The writer worried that the public might think she employed AI to compose her book, which she categorically denied.

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

In a statement, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the designers devoted considerable time crafting her book's cover, which includes a steam train and an angel “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

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a “firm stance on the application 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,” she stated.

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

The move to revise the artificial intelligence guidelines was motivated by a aim to protect the artistic and intellectual property rights of the nation's writers and illustrators, she added.

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

Industry Considerations

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and writers regularly employ software like Grammarly and Photoshop, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this incident underscored the urgent need for well-defined policies.

“As an industry, we must work together to ensure that this situation does not happen again.”

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have in the past been jurors for sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs get minimal consideration during evaluation.

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

The use of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has faced growing examination as the technology advances, with some organizations developing ways to address its impact.