🔗 Share this article

A pair of award-winning New Zealand writers have had their works disqualified from contention for the country's esteemed literature award because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Disqualification Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction prize in October, but were disqualified the next thirty days due to new guidelines concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publishing house of both titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the awards organizers amended the criteria in August, by which time the covers for every entered book would have already been finalized.

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

Authors' Reactions

Johnson voiced understanding for the prize administrators, stating she has deep concerns about AI in creative fields, but was let down by the ruling.

“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.”

Johnson further stated that authors usually have little involvement in cover artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her cover, which displays a cat with human-like 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 said, adding that unlike younger generations, she struggles to identify AI-generated graphics.

Johnson feared that readers might think she used artificial intelligence to write her book, 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 statement, Elizabeth Smither said that the artists spent hours crafting her publication's art, which features a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Award Trust's Position

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that oversees the Ockham awards, affirmed the organization takes a strong position on the application of AI 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,” Legat stated.

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

The move to amend the AI guidelines was motivated by a desire to protect the artistic and intellectual property interests of the nation's authors and illustrators, she explained.

“As AI evolves, there may well be a need for the trust to revisit and develop the criteria further.”

Publishing Considerations

Wilson noted that publishers and writers often use software like Grammarly and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this incident underscored the urgent need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have in the past been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both stressed that covers get minimal attention during evaluation.

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

The use of AI in creative fields has encountered growing examination as the tech advances, with some organizations developing ways to counter its impact.