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A pair of award-winning New Zealand authors have had their books disqualified from consideration for the country's esteemed literature prize because of the use of artificial intelligence in designing their book covers.

Disqualification Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in the tenth month, but were disqualified the following month because of new guidelines regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publisher of both books, the publisher, stated that the awards organizers updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for every entered book 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,” the publisher noted.

Authors' Responses

Johnson expressed sympathy for the award administrators, saying she has serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she remarked. “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 typically have minimal input in cover artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used 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 explained, adding that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she finds it difficult to recognize AI-generated images.

Johnson worried that the public might assume she employed AI to write her work, which she categorically denied.

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

In a comment, Smither expressed that the designers spent considerable time crafting her publication's cover, which features a locomotive and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Position

The trust chair, head of the book awards trust that administers the prizes, said the trust maintains a strong position on the use 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,” 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 criteria was motivated by a aim to protect the creative and intellectual property interests of the country's writers 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

The publisher pointed out that publishers and authors often employ tools like Grammarly and image editors, 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 served as judges for sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs receive minimal attention during judging.

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

The use of AI in artistic fields has encountered growing examination as the technology progresses, with some organizations developing methods to address its influence.