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A pair of acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their works disqualified from contention for the nation's esteemed literary award due to the use of AI in designing their book covers.

Disqualification Details

The author's short story collection "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 fiction award in October, but were ruled out the following month due to new guidelines regarding AI use.

The publisher of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize committee amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for all entered book would have already been finalized.

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

Writers' Responses

The author voiced understanding for the prize organizers, stating she has deep concerns about AI in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the ruling.

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

She further stated that writers usually have little involvement in book design and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which features a feline 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 explained, adding that unlike younger generations, she struggles to identify AI-generated graphics.

The writer worried that readers might assume she employed AI to write her work, which she categorically denied.

“Rather than discussing my book's themes and inspirations, we're focused on this AI issue, which I despise.”

In a statement, Smither expressed that the artists spent hours crafting her book's art, which features a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's imagery.

“My primary concern is for the designers: their careful, detailed work … is not being respected,” Smither stated.

Award Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that oversees the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a “firm stance on the use of artificial intelligence in books.”

“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,” she said.

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

The move to amend the artificial intelligence criteria was driven by a aim to support the creative and intellectual property rights of the country's authors 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 publishers and writers often employ tools like Grammarly and image editors, which utilize AI, and this situation underscored the urgent requirement for well-defined guidelines.

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

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

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” Smither said.

The use of AI in artistic sectors has encountered growing scrutiny as the tech progresses, with some organizations creating ways to address its influence.