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A pair of acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their works disqualified from contention for the country's prestigious literature award because of the use of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Disqualification Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 fiction prize in October, but were disqualified the following month due to new rules concerning artificial intelligence usage.

The publisher of the two books, the publisher, explained that the prize organizers amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which time the covers for all submitted title 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 said.

Writers' Reactions

The author expressed sympathy for the award administrators, saying she shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she commented. “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 further stated that writers typically have little input in book design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed for her cover, which displays a cat with human-like 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, noting that unlike younger age groups, she struggles to recognize computer-created graphics.

The writer feared that the public might assume she employed artificial intelligence to write her book, which she categorically denied.

“Instead of talking about my book … and what the inspiration was, we are talking about bloody AI, which I hate.”

In a statement, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the designers devoted hours crafting her publication's cover, which features a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

“My primary concern is for the designers: their careful, detailed work … is not being respected,” Smither stated.

Prize Trust's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the award foundation that oversees the Ockham awards, said the organization takes a strong position on the application of artificial intelligence 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,” Legat stated.

“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 criteria was driven by a desire to protect the creative and copyright rights of the country's authors and illustrators, she explained.

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

Publishing Reflections

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and authors regularly employ software like Grammarly and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the urgent requirement for well-defined policies.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have previously served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs receive little consideration during evaluation.

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

The application of AI in artistic fields has encountered increasing scrutiny as the tech advances, with some organizations developing methods to counter its impact.