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Two award-winning Kiwi authors have had their books disqualified from contention for the country's prestigious literature award because of the utilization of AI in creating their book covers.

Disqualification Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in October, but were disqualified the following month due to new guidelines regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize committee updated the criteria in August, by which time the covers for every submitted book would have previously been finalized.

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

Authors' Reactions

Johnson expressed sympathy for the prize administrators, saying she has deep concerns about AI in creative fields, but was let down by the ruling.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” 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.”

She further stated that writers typically have minimal input in cover artwork and was unaware AI had been employed for her cover, which features a feline with human teeth.

“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 struggles to recognize AI-generated images.

The writer feared that the public might assume she used artificial intelligence to write her book, which she categorically did not do.

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

In a comment, Elizabeth Smither said that the artists devoted considerable time crafting her book's cover, which features a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Award Trust's Position

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that oversees the Ockham awards, said the trust takes a strong position on the use of artificial intelligence in publications.”

“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 said.

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

The move to revise the artificial intelligence criteria was driven by a aim to support the creative and copyright rights of the country's authors and artists, she added.

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

Publishing Considerations

Wilson noted that publishers and writers regularly employ tools like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which utilize AI, and this incident underscored the urgent requirement for well-defined policies.

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

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

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” Smither concluded.

The application of AI in artistic fields has encountered increasing examination as the technology advances, with some organizations creating methods to address its impact.