Helen Phillips has been awarded the 2026 Climate Fiction Prize for her novel *Hum*, which delves into the intersection of the climate crisis, artificial intelligence, and human relationships. The £10,000 prize was presented at a ceremony in London on May 27. *Hum* follows May, a woman who loses her job to AI and undergoes an experimental procedure to evade surveillance, highlighting the desperate measures people take in a world where access to nature is commodified. The judging panel lauded the novel for its warm yet critical exploration of urgent themes, including privilege and the human connection to the environment. Judge Arifa Akbar described it as a poignant narrative about love and community in the face of technological and ecological challenges. Phillips' work is seen as a vital contribution to the discourse on climate change, emphasizing the power of storytelling to reshape perceptions and envision futures where technology serves humanity and nature. Following her win, Phillips will participate in an interview at the Hay Festival on May 30, 2026.