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Two award-winning Kiwi writers have had their works disqualified from contention for the country's prestigious literary award because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 fiction prize in the tenth month, but were disqualified the next thirty days because of new rules regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publishing house of the two titles, the publisher, stated that the prize committee amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the cover designs for all submitted 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 said.

Writers' Reactions

Johnson voiced sympathy for the award organizers, saying she shares deep concerns about AI in artistic industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” 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.”

Johnson added that writers typically have little input in cover artwork and was did not know AI had been used for her cover, which features a feline with human dentition.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” Johnson explained, noting that unlike younger generations, she finds it difficult to recognize AI-generated images.

Johnson feared that the public might assume she used artificial intelligence to compose her work, which she categorically did not do.

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

In a statement, Smither expressed that the designers spent hours creating her publication's cover, which includes a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Position

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, said the trust maintains 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,” she 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 artificial intelligence criteria was driven by a aim to support the creative and copyright interests 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 Considerations

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and writers regularly use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize AI, and this situation highlighted the urgent need for well-defined 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 sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs get minimal attention during evaluation.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has faced growing scrutiny as the tech progresses, with some groups developing ways to address its impact.