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

Exclusion Particulars

The author's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in the tenth month, but were disqualified the following month due to new guidelines concerning artificial intelligence usage.

The publisher of both titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize organizers amended the guidelines in August, by which point the covers for every entered title would have previously been completed.

“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

Johnson voiced understanding for the prize organizers, stating she shares serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was let down 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.”

Johnson added that authors usually have minimal involvement in cover artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her book cover, which features a feline with human dentition.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” the author said, adding that unlike younger generations, she struggles to identify computer-created graphics.

Johnson feared that readers might assume she used artificial intelligence to compose her work, which she emphatically did not do.

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

In a statement, Elizabeth Smither said that the designers spent hours crafting her publication's art, which includes a locomotive and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by painter Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that administers the prizes, said the trust takes a strong position on the use of AI 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,” she said.

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

The decision to amend the AI guidelines was motivated by a aim to protect the creative and intellectual property rights of the country'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 pointed out that publishers and writers regularly use software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this situation underscored the urgent need for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have previously been jurors for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs receive minimal consideration during judging.

“The contents and the close reading were everything,” the author said.

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