American author Helen Phillips has won the 2026 Climate Fiction Prize for her sixth novel, *Hum*, which explores the intersection of automation, artificial intelligence, and climate change. The prize, now in its second year, awards £10,000 to an outstanding work of fiction addressing environmental themes.

*Hum* centers on May, whose job is replaced by a robotic entity referred to as a “hum.” In response, May becomes a test subject for experiments designed to help individuals avoid facial recognition surveillance. The novel offers a critical perspective on the increasing role of AI in society and its broader implications. One judge described the book’s portrayal of nature as a “Disneyfication,” suggesting it becomes a commodified experience, a rare space people must pay to access.

Phillips has noted that the inspiration for the novel came from a mundane moment: while walking home, she realized she needed to buy dishcloths. Upon opening her laptop, she was greeted with targeted advertisements for such household items, highlighting the pervasive nature of AI-driven consumer tracking.

Arifa Akbar, chair of the judging panel and former literary editor of The Independent, praised *Hum* for addressing themes of love, community, and family amid the climate crisis, privilege, and technological change. Fellow judge Friederike Otto, a climate scientist, emphasized that the novel confronts the root issue behind climate inaction—privilege.

The Climate Fiction Prize aims to recognize literary works that engage with environmental issues through storytelling, acknowledging the role of fiction in shaping public discourse on climate change. Phillips’ novel stands out by weaving together personal and societal challenges associated with technological advancement and environmental degradation.