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A pair of acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their works disqualified from consideration for the country's esteemed literary award because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in the tenth month, but were disqualified the next month because of new rules concerning AI usage.

The publishing house of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize organizers amended the criteria in August, by which time the covers for every entered book 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 said.

Authors' Responses

The author expressed understanding for the award administrators, stating she has serious worries about AI in creative industries, but was let down by the decision.

“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.”

She further stated that writers usually have little input in book design and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her cover, which displays 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, noting that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she finds it difficult to identify computer-created images.

Johnson worried that the public might assume she employed artificial intelligence to compose her work, 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 comment, Smither said that the artists devoted hours crafting her publication's cover, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by artist the artist's figures.

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

Award Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, affirmed the trust maintains a “firm stance 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 stated.

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

The move to revise the AI criteria was motivated by a desire to support the artistic and intellectual property interests of the country's authors and illustrators, she added.

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

Publishing Reflections

The publisher noted that publishers and authors regularly use software like Grammarly and Photoshop, which utilize AI, and this situation underscored the urgent requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have in the past served as judges for categories 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 said.

The application of artificial intelligence in artistic fields has faced growing examination as the tech progresses, with some organizations developing ways to counter its influence.