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Two acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their works excluded from contention for the nation's esteemed literature prize due to the use of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 fiction prize in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following month because of new rules regarding AI use.

The publishing house of both titles, the publisher, stated that the prize organizers amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which time the covers for every submitted book would have previously been completed.

“Consequently, it was much too late for publishers to incorporate this new rule into their design plans,” the publisher said.

Writers' Reactions

Johnson expressed sympathy for the award organizers, saying she shares deep concerns about AI in artistic industries, but was disappointed by the decision.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she remarked. “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 further stated that writers typically have little input in cover design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed for her cover, which features 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 said, adding that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated images.

Johnson worried that readers might think she employed AI to compose 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 spent considerable time crafting her book's art, which features a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter the artist's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

The trust chair, chair of the book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, affirmed the trust takes a “firm stance on the use of artificial intelligence in books.”

“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.

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

The move to amend the AI criteria was motivated by a desire to support the creative and intellectual property interests of the nation's writers and illustrators, she explained.

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

Industry Considerations

Wilson noted that publishing houses and authors often employ software like Grammarly and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this incident highlighted the pressing need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have in the past served as judges for categories of the prizes, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal consideration during judging.

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

The use of artificial intelligence in creative fields has encountered increasing scrutiny as the technology progresses, with some organizations creating ways to counter its influence.