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

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction award in October, but were ruled out the next month because of recently introduced rules regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards organizers amended the criteria in the eighth month, by which point the covers for all submitted 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 noted.

Writers' Responses

Johnson expressed sympathy for the prize administrators, saying she shares serious worries about AI in creative fields, but was let down by the ruling.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she commented. “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 writers usually have minimal involvement in book design and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her book cover, which features a feline with human 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 younger generations, she struggles to recognize computer-created graphics.

The writer feared that the public might think she used AI to write her work, 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 said that the designers devoted hours creating her publication's art, which features a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter the artist's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that administers the prizes, said the trust maintains a strong position on the use 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,” she said.

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

The decision to revise the artificial intelligence criteria was motivated by a desire to support the creative and intellectual property rights 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

Wilson noted that publishers and writers regularly use tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this incident highlighted the urgent need for well-defined guidelines.

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

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

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

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