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Two acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works disqualified from consideration for the nation's esteemed literature prize due to the use of AI in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Details

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction prize in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following thirty days because of new rules concerning AI use.

The publishing house of the two books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards organizers updated the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for every submitted book 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,” the publisher said.

Writers' Reactions

The author expressed understanding for the prize administrators, saying she has serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

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

She further stated that writers typically have minimal involvement in cover design and was unaware AI had been employed for her cover, which displays a feline with human dentition.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” the author explained, noting that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to recognize computer-created images.

The writer feared that the public might assume she used AI 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, Smither expressed that the artists spent considerable time creating her book's art, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by painter the artist's imagery.

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

Award Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that administers the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a “firm stance 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,” she said.

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

The move to revise the AI guidelines was motivated by a desire to support the creative and copyright rights of the country'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.”

Publishing Reflections

Wilson noted that publishers and authors regularly employ software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this incident underscored the urgent requirement for well-defined guidelines.

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

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

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

The use of AI in artistic fields has encountered growing scrutiny as the tech progresses, with some organizations creating methods to counter its impact.