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Two acclaimed Kiwi authors have had their books disqualified from contention for the nation's prestigious literature prize due to the utilization of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Exclusion Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in October, but were ruled out the following thirty days because of recently introduced guidelines regarding AI usage.

The publisher of the two titles, the publisher, stated that the awards committee updated the guidelines in August, by which time the cover designs for all entered title would have already been finalized.

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

Writers' Responses

The author voiced understanding for the prize organizers, stating she shares serious worries about AI in creative industries, but was let down 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 authors typically have minimal input in book artwork 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, adding that unlike younger generations, she struggles to identify AI-generated images.

Johnson worried that readers might assume she employed AI to write her book, which she categorically 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 expressed that the designers devoted hours crafting her book's cover, which includes a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Award Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, said the trust maintains 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,” Legat stated.

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

The decision to amend the AI criteria was driven by a aim to support the creative and copyright interests of the nation's writers and illustrators, she added.

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

Publishing Considerations

The publisher noted that publishing houses and writers often employ tools like Grammarly and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this incident underscored the urgent requirement for well-defined policies.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have in the past served as judges for sections of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers receive little consideration during evaluation.

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

The application of AI in creative sectors has encountered increasing examination as the tech advances, with some groups creating ways to address its impact.