🔗 Share this article

A pair of award-winning Kiwi writers have had their works disqualified from contention for the country's prestigious literary award because of the use of AI in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Particulars

The author's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 fiction prize in October, but were disqualified the following month due to new rules regarding AI use.

The publisher of both books, the publisher, explained that the awards organizers amended the guidelines in August, by which time the cover designs for every submitted book would have previously been finalized.

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

Writers' Responses

The author expressed sympathy for the award administrators, stating she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she commented. “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 authors usually have minimal involvement in book artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her cover, which features a cat with human 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 more tech-savvy age groups, she struggles to identify AI-generated images.

The writer feared that the public might assume 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 devoted hours crafting her book's art, which features a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, inspired by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Position

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, said the organization maintains a strong position on the use of artificial intelligence in publications.”

“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 decision to amend the AI criteria was driven by a aim to support the creative and copyright interests 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

The publisher pointed out that publishers and writers often employ tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this incident highlighted the urgent need 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 in the past been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both emphasized that covers receive little consideration during judging.

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

The use of AI in creative sectors has faced growing scrutiny as the tech advances, with some organizations developing ways to counter its influence.