🔗 Share this article

A pair of acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works disqualified from consideration for the nation's prestigious literary award due to the use of AI in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction prize in the tenth month, but were disqualified the following month because of new guidelines regarding AI use.

The publisher of both titles, Quentin Wilson, stated that the prize committee amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for every entered book would have previously been finalized.

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

Writers' Reactions

The author expressed understanding for the prize organizers, saying she has serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

“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.”

Johnson added that writers typically have little input in book design and was did not know AI had been employed for her cover, which features a feline with human teeth.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” the author said, adding that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated images.

The writer feared that the public might assume she employed AI to write her work, which she categorically did not do.

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

In a statement, Smither said that the artists devoted hours crafting her publication's cover, which features a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by painter the artist's imagery.

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

Prize Trust's Position

The trust chair, chair of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, said the trust takes a strong position on the application of artificial intelligence 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 said.

“However, the criteria apply to all entrants, regardless of their mana [status], and must be consistently applied to all.”

The move to revise the artificial intelligence guidelines was motivated by a aim to protect the artistic and intellectual property interests of the country's authors 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 publishing houses and authors regularly use software like Grammarly and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted the pressing need 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 previously been jurors for categories of the prizes, and both emphasized that covers receive minimal attention during evaluation.

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

The application of AI in creative fields has encountered growing examination as the tech advances, with some organizations developing ways to address its influence.