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A pair of award-winning Kiwi authors have had their works excluded from consideration for the nation's prestigious literature award because of the utilization of AI in designing their book covers.

Disqualification Particulars

The author's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in the tenth month, but were disqualified the following month because of recently introduced guidelines concerning AI usage.

The publisher of the two books, the publisher, explained that the prize committee updated the criteria in August, by which time the cover designs for all entered 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,” Wilson said.

Writers' Reactions

Johnson expressed sympathy for the award organizers, saying she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” 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 writers usually have little involvement in book design and was did not know AI had been used for her cover, which displays a feline with human-like dentition.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” the author explained, adding that unlike younger generations, she finds it difficult to identify computer-created graphics.

The writer feared that the public might assume she used artificial intelligence to compose her book, 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 designers devoted hours creating her book's art, which features a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Award Committee's Position

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, affirmed the organization maintains a strong position 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,” Legat stated.

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

The move to amend the artificial intelligence guidelines was driven by a aim to support the creative and copyright rights of the nation's authors and illustrators, she explained.

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

Industry Reflections

Wilson noted that publishers and writers often use tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which utilize AI, and this situation highlighted the pressing requirement for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have in the past been jurors for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers receive little consideration during judging.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has encountered increasing examination as the tech progresses, with some groups creating ways to counter its impact.