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Two award-winning New Zealand writers have had their works disqualified from contention for the nation's prestigious literary award because of the utilization of AI in creating their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following month due to new guidelines regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the awards organizers updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the covers for all entered title would have already been finalized.

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

Writers' Reactions

The author expressed sympathy for the award organizers, stating she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in artistic industries, 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.”

She added that authors typically have minimal involvement in cover artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her cover, which displays a cat 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,” the author said, noting that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she struggles to recognize AI-generated graphics.

The writer feared that readers might think she employed 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 considerable time creating her publication's art, which features a locomotive and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Award Committee's Position

The trust chair, head of the book awards trust that administers the prizes, affirmed the trust takes 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,” she said.

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

The move to revise the AI criteria was motivated by a desire to protect the artistic and copyright interests of the country's writers and artists, she added.

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

Industry Considerations

The publisher noted that publishers and writers regularly use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this incident highlighted the pressing need for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously served as judges for sections of the prizes, and both stressed that cover designs receive little consideration during evaluation.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative fields has encountered growing examination as the technology advances, with some organizations creating ways to counter its influence.