AI Cover Art Controversy Knocks Two Leading Authors Out of New Zealand’s Top Book Prize

New Zealand’s top literary prize has removed two titles from contention after organisers ruled that artificial intelligence (AI) was used in their cover designs.

Stephanie Johnson’s Obligate Carnivore and Elizabeth Smither’s Angel Train were entered for the 2026 Ockham Book Awards but were disqualified under new guidelines that prohibit AI involvement in submitted works.

The rules were amended in August, after most publishers had already completed their designs. Publisher Quentin Wilson, who published both books, said the timing made compliance impossible and described the decision as deeply unfair to both authors and the designers who created the covers.

Johnson said she did not know her cover had been produced with AI and worried readers would now assume she used similar tools to write the stories themselves. Smither said the disqualification dismissed the detailed work that went into her cover, which was built around a hand-crafted image of a steam train and an angel.

The awards trust said it was applying the criteria equally to all entrants and that the updated rules were intended to protect the creative and copyright interests of writers and illustrators. The trust added that further adjustments may be needed as AI tools continue to evolve.