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A pair of acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works disqualified from consideration for the country's esteemed literature prize due to the utilization of AI in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Particulars

The author's 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 novel award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following thirty days due to new rules concerning AI use.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize organizers amended the guidelines in August, by which point the cover designs for all entered title would have already been completed.

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

Authors' Reactions

The author expressed sympathy for the prize administrators, saying she has 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 remarked. “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 further stated that authors usually have minimal involvement in cover artwork and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed 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 explained, adding that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she struggles to recognize AI-generated images.

The writer feared that the public might think she used AI to compose her work, 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 expressed that the designers spent hours crafting her book's cover, which includes a steam train and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter the artist's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, said the trust maintains a “firm stance 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 move to amend the AI criteria was motivated by a aim to protect the artistic and copyright rights of the nation's authors and illustrators, she added.

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

Industry Considerations

The publisher pointed out that publishing houses and writers regularly employ tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this situation highlighted the pressing need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have in the past been jurors for sections of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers get little attention during evaluation.

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

The use of AI in creative sectors has faced increasing scrutiny as the technology advances, with some organizations creating ways to address its impact.