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Two acclaimed Kiwi writers have had their works excluded from contention for the nation's esteemed literature award because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in designing their book covers.

Exclusion Details

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

The publisher of both titles, the publisher, stated that the awards committee updated the guidelines in August, by which time the cover designs for every submitted book would have already been completed.

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

Authors' Reactions

Johnson voiced sympathy for the prize administrators, stating she has serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

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

She added that writers usually have little involvement in cover design and was unaware AI had been used for her cover, which displays a feline with human-like 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 said, adding that unlike younger age groups, she struggles to identify AI-generated graphics.

The writer worried that readers might assume she employed AI to compose her book, which she emphatically 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 comment, Smither expressed that the designers devoted considerable time creating her book's cover, which features a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Award Committee's Stance

The trust chair, head of the book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, affirmed the organization 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.

“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 desire to support the creative and intellectual property rights of the country's writers and artists, she added.

“As AI evolves, there may well be a need for the trust to revisit and develop the criteria further.”

Industry Considerations

The publisher noted that publishing houses and writers regularly employ tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this incident highlighted the urgent requirement 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 attention during judging.

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

The application of AI in creative sectors has encountered growing examination as the technology advances, with some groups developing ways to address its influence.