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A pair of award-winning Kiwi writers have had their books disqualified from contention for the nation's prestigious literature prize due to the use of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Disqualification Details

The author's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in October, but were ruled out the following thirty days because of recently introduced guidelines concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize committee updated the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for all submitted book would have previously been completed.

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

Writers' Reactions

The author expressed sympathy for the award administrators, 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. “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 added that authors typically have minimal input in book design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed for her book cover, which features a cat with human-like 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 age groups, she struggles to identify AI-generated images.

Johnson feared that the public might think she employed artificial intelligence to compose 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 comment, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the artists spent hours creating her publication's art, which features a locomotive and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Award Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, head of the award foundation that administers the Ockham awards, affirmed the trust takes a “firm stance on the use of AI 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,” Legat stated.

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

The decision to amend the AI criteria was motivated by a aim to protect the artistic and intellectual property 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 Considerations

The publisher pointed out that publishers and writers regularly employ software like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this incident underscored the urgent need for carefully crafted 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 sections of the prizes, and both stressed that cover designs receive little consideration during evaluation.

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

The application of AI in creative sectors has faced growing examination as the technology progresses, with some groups developing methods to address its influence.