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A pair of award-winning New Zealand writers have had their books excluded from contention for the country's prestigious literature award because of the use of AI in creating their cover art.

Disqualification Particulars

The author's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in October, but were ruled out the next thirty days because of new guidelines concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publishing house of both books, the publisher, explained that the awards committee updated the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for all entered book would have already been completed.

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

Writers' Responses

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

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” 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 further stated that writers typically have little involvement in cover artwork and was did not know AI 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 explained, adding that unlike younger generations, she struggles to identify AI-generated images.

The writer worried that readers might think she used artificial intelligence to write her work, which she emphatically denied.

“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 artists devoted considerable time crafting her book's art, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by painter the artist's figures.

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

Award Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a strong position on the use 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,” 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 driven by a aim to support the creative and copyright rights of the nation's authors and artists, she explained.

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

Industry Reflections

The publisher noted that publishers and authors often employ software like Grammarly and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted the urgent requirement for well-defined policies.

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

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

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” the author said.

The application of artificial intelligence in artistic sectors has encountered increasing examination as the technology progresses, with some groups creating methods to address its influence.