Ockham Awards Disqualify AI-Covered Books, Sparking Controversy

Two books by notable New Zealand authors, Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson, have been disqualified from the prestigious Ockham book awards due to the use of AI-generated cover designs. The short fiction collections, Angel Train by Smither and Obligate Carnivore by Johnson, were published by Quentin Wilson of Christchurch. The Ockham awards committee announced that books with AI-created covers would be ineligible for the $60,000 Acorn Jann Medlicott fiction prize.

Quentin Wilson expressed his distress at the ruling, stating that it feels as if the books are being judged by their covers rather than their content. He noted that the committee informed publishers of the eligibility changes in August, which prohibited AI-generated designs. Wilson believed the entries were compliant until he was informed by the designer that the covers relied heavily on AI technology.

“I take responsibility for this issue,” he remarked, acknowledging that the situation is a personal concern. Despite this, he remains outraged, arguing that the focus of a fiction prize should center on the quality of writing rather than the packaging.

Johnson echoed these sentiments in an email, expressing her respect for the Ockham awards but feeling unsettled by the disqualification of her book. “I appreciated the idea of it sitting alongside its peers on the judges’ desks,” she said. Johnson’s discomfort is heightened by her own skepticism regarding AI in the creative sector. “I have never used it in my writing process and never will,” she added.

She recounted her initial excitement upon seeing the cover image, which featured a cat with human teeth, believing it to be a photograph with digital alterations. After learning of the disqualification, she reached out to Belinda Cooke, manager of the awards, who upheld the committee’s position on the AI cover ruling. Johnson noted that her experience judging the 2023 awards led her to prioritize literary merit over cover design.

Upon reviewing the judging guidelines, Johnson discovered that judges were indeed instructed to consider both “literary merit” and the quality of illustration and graphic presentation. This revelation surprised her, as she had previously overlooked the significance of cover design in the judging process.

Sue Reidy, an author and experienced book designer, weighed in on the situation. She stated that the ban on AI covers could stifle creativity in the industry. “The challenge for artists, designers, and photographers today is to figure out ways to reinvent themselves despite AI,” Reidy commented, emphasizing the need for artwork that reflects human creativity.

Reidy’s perspective aligns with the views of many in the literary community. The decision to prohibit AI-generated covers is seen by some as a necessary measure against the encroaching influence of technology in art. Yet, the disqualification of Smither and Johnson’s works is regarded as a punitive action, denying both authors the opportunity to compete for recognition in the literary landscape.

Both authors’ works, Angel Train: Four Novellas and Obligate Carnivore, are available for purchase, priced at $37.50 each. Johnson’s book is set to be launched on November 19, 2023, at the Women’s Bookshop in Auckland.

The Ockham book awards are a significant event in New Zealand’s literary scene, and the recent ruling has ignited a discussion on the role of technology in art and the criteria for literary recognition. As the debate continues, the impact of this decision on the authors and the awards remains to be seen.