🔗 Share this article

A pair of award-winning New Zealand writers have had their works disqualified from contention for the nation's prestigious literature prize due to the utilization of AI in creating their cover art.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 novel award in October, but were ruled out the next thirty days because of new guidelines regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the awards organizers updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the covers for all entered title would have previously been finalized.

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

Authors' Responses

Johnson expressed sympathy for the prize administrators, stating she has serious worries about artificial intelligence in creative industries, 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 writers typically have little input in book design and was did not know AI had been used for her book cover, which features a feline 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,” Johnson said, noting that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated graphics.

Johnson feared that readers might think she employed artificial intelligence 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 expressed that the designers spent hours crafting her book's art, which features a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter the artist's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the award foundation that administers the prizes, said the organization takes a strong position on the use of artificial intelligence 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 said.

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

The decision to amend the artificial intelligence criteria was motivated by a desire to protect the artistic and copyright interests of the nation's writers and illustrators, she explained.

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

Publishing Reflections

The publisher pointed out that publishers and writers often use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this incident underscored the urgent need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have previously served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs get minimal attention during evaluation.

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

The use of artificial intelligence in creative fields has encountered growing scrutiny as the technology progresses, with some groups developing methods to counter its impact.