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

Disqualification Details

The author's story compilation "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 fiction prize in October, but were disqualified the next thirty days because of new guidelines concerning AI use.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards committee updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for every entered book would have already been completed.

“It was, therefore, far too late for any publisher to have taken this clause into account in their design briefs,” Wilson said.

Authors' Reactions

The author voiced understanding for the prize organizers, saying she shares serious worries about artificial intelligence in creative fields, but was let down by the decision.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” 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.”

Johnson added that writers typically have little input in cover artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her cover, which displays a feline with human-like teeth.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” the author said, adding that unlike younger generations, she struggles to identify AI-generated images.

The writer worried that readers might assume she used artificial intelligence to write her book, 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 statement, Smither expressed that the artists devoted hours crafting her book's art, which features a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist the artist's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, affirmed the trust maintains a “firm stance 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 decision to amend the artificial intelligence guidelines was driven by a aim to support the creative and intellectual property rights of the nation's writers and illustrators, she added.

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

Publishing Reflections

The publisher pointed out that publishers and authors often employ software like Grammarly and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this situation underscored the urgent requirement for carefully crafted policies.

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

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

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

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