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A pair of acclaimed Kiwi authors have had their books disqualified from contention for the country's esteemed literary prize due to the use of artificial intelligence in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Details

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following month due to recently introduced rules concerning AI use.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize organizers amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for every 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.

Writers' Reactions

The author voiced understanding for the award administrators, stating she has serious worries 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 typically have minimal involvement in book artwork and was did not know AI had been used for her book cover, which displays a cat with human-like 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 age groups, she struggles to identify computer-created images.

The writer feared that the public might assume she used AI to compose her book, which she categorically did not do.

“Instead of talking about my book … and what the inspiration was, we are talking about bloody AI, which I hate.”

In a comment, Elizabeth Smither said that the artists devoted considerable time creating her book's cover, which includes a steam train 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 Trust's Position

The trust chair, chair of the award foundation that administers the prizes, affirmed the organization takes a strong position on the application of AI in books.”

“We do not make such a decision lightly, one that bars the newest works by two of New Zealand's most respected authors from the 2026 prize,” she stated.

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

The decision to revise the AI criteria was motivated by a desire to protect the creative and copyright rights of the country's writers and illustrators, she explained.

“With artificial intelligence advancing, the trust may need to review and refine these criteria in the future.”

Industry Considerations

Wilson pointed out that publishers and writers often employ software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this incident highlighted the urgent requirement for well-defined policies.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously served as judges for sections of the prizes, and both stressed that covers get little consideration during evaluation.

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

The use of AI in artistic fields has faced increasing examination as the technology progresses, with some groups developing ways to address its influence.