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A pair of acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their works disqualified from contention for the nation's esteemed literary award due to the use of AI in creating their cover art.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in October, but were ruled out the following month due to recently introduced rules regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of the two titles, the publisher, explained that the prize committee amended the criteria in August, by which point the cover designs for all entered title would have already been finalized.

“It was, therefore, far too late for any publisher to have taken this clause into account in their design briefs,” Wilson noted.

Writers' Responses

Johnson expressed understanding for the award organizers, stating she has deep concerns about AI in artistic industries, but was let down by the ruling.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” 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 writers usually have little input in book artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence 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 said, adding that unlike younger age groups, she struggles to recognize computer-created images.

The writer worried that readers might assume she employed AI to write 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, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the artists devoted hours crafting her publication's cover, which includes a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist the artist's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the award foundation that oversees the Ockham awards, said the organization takes a strong position on the application 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,” Legat said.

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

The move to revise the artificial intelligence guidelines was motivated by a desire to support the creative and copyright interests of the nation's authors and artists, she explained.

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

Publishing Reflections

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and authors often use tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which incorporate artificial intelligence, 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 Johnson have in the past served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs get minimal attention during judging.

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

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