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Two acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works excluded from contention for the country's prestigious literature award because of the use of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction prize in October, but were disqualified the following thirty days because of new guidelines regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publishing house of the two titles, the publisher, stated that the prize organizers amended the criteria in August, by which point the covers for all entered book would have already been finalized.

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

Writers' Reactions

The author voiced understanding for the award organizers, saying she has serious worries about AI in artistic industries, but was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she commented. “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 added that authors usually have minimal input in cover design and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her cover, which displays a cat with human teeth.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” the author explained, noting that unlike younger age groups, she struggles to identify computer-created images.

Johnson worried that readers might think she used AI to compose her book, which she categorically denied.

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

In a statement, Smither said that the artists spent hours crafting her publication's art, which features a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by artist the artist's figures.

“It is them I am most concerned about: that their meticulous work … is being disrespected,” Smither remarked.

Prize Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, said the organization maintains a “firm stance on the application of AI in books.”

“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 said.

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

The decision to amend the artificial intelligence guidelines was driven by a aim to protect the creative and copyright rights of the nation's writers and illustrators, she added.

“With artificial intelligence advancing, the trust may need to review and refine these criteria in the future.”

Industry Reflections

The publisher noted that publishers and authors regularly use tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this situation underscored the urgent requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have in the past been jurors for sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs receive minimal consideration during judging.

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

The use of AI in creative fields has faced increasing scrutiny as the technology advances, with some organizations developing ways to counter its influence.