🔗 Share this article

A pair of acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works excluded from contention for the nation's esteemed literary award because of the use of artificial intelligence in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in October, but were disqualified the following month because of new guidelines concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publishing house of the two titles, the publisher, explained that the prize organizers amended the criteria in August, by which point the covers for all entered title would have previously been completed.

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

Authors' Responses

Johnson expressed sympathy for the award organizers, saying she has serious worries about AI in creative industries, but was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she remarked. “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 further stated that authors typically have little involvement in book design and was unaware AI had been used for her cover, which features a cat with human-like 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 age groups, she finds it difficult to recognize AI-generated images.

The writer feared that readers might assume she employed AI to compose her book, which she categorically 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 creating her book's cover, which includes a locomotive and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by painter the artist's imagery.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

The trust chair, head of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, said the organization maintains a strong position on the use of AI in publications.”

“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,” 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 protect the artistic and intellectual property interests of the country'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 noted that publishers and writers often use tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this incident underscored the pressing requirement for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have in the past served as judges for sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs receive little consideration during evaluation.

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

The use of AI in creative sectors has encountered growing examination as the technology advances, with some organizations developing ways to address its impact.