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Two award-winning New Zealand writers have had their works excluded from contention for the nation's esteemed literature prize because of the use of AI in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Particulars

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

The publisher of the two titles, the publisher, stated that the awards organizers updated the criteria in August, by which time the covers for all submitted title 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,” Wilson said.

Authors' Responses

The author voiced understanding for the prize organizers, saying she shares serious worries about artificial intelligence in creative fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

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

Johnson added that authors usually have little involvement in cover artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her book 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,” Johnson explained, noting that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she struggles to recognize AI-generated images.

The writer feared that the public might think she employed artificial intelligence to compose her book, which she emphatically denied.

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

In a comment, Smither said that the artists spent hours crafting her publication's art, which features a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, inspired by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Award Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that oversees the Ockham awards, affirmed the trust maintains a strong position on the application of artificial intelligence 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 stated.

“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 motivated by a aim to protect the artistic and copyright interests of the nation's writers 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 publishing houses and writers regularly use software like Grammarly and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this incident underscored the pressing need for well-defined policies.

“As an industry, we must work together to ensure that this situation does not happen again.”

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal attention during judging.

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

The use of artificial intelligence in creative fields has faced increasing scrutiny as the tech progresses, with some organizations creating ways to address its influence.