On this page you will find information on how to cite AI using APA, MLA, and Chicago Style formats. For more information on citing and AI check out the Purdue Website.
Existing citation style direction varies considerably for citing AI-generated content, since AI tools are still evolving. You may need to consult publishers' policies for using AI tools or including AI-generated content in writing in addition to looking at citation style directions. Remember to make sure to cite a generative AI tool whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate any content that was created by it.
Citing ChatGPT:
The major citation styles (MLA, APA, Chicago) have begun to address how to cite while using generative AI tools like ChatGPT and many others. Everyone agrees it's important to cite when you use AI in your work, but there is still some disagreement between the different citation styles about what that might look like. The following are the current recommendations that are highlighted on each major citation styles website.
Citing AI in MLA Style
Here is the link to the MLA website where you can learn to cite generative AI in MLA style.
These directions are current as of March 2023.
Example of MLA Citation:
If you asked ChatGPT to describe the symbolism of Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice in your paper you would write it something like this:
Quote:
When asked to describe the symbolism of Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice, ChatGPT provided a summary about the transformation of Mr. Darcy and the novel's central theme of social class and personal growth. However, when further prompted to cite the source on which that summary was based, it noted that it lacked “the ability to conduct research or cite sources independently” but that it recomended If you require citations for academic or research purposes, I recommend consulting the original text of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or academic sources related to the novel's analysis and symbolism.” (“In 200 words”).
For a Works-Cited-List Entry:
“In 200 words, describe the symbolism of Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice” follow-up prompt to list sources. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 20 Sept. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
(for more information click the link)
Citing AI in APA Style
Here is the link to the APA website where you can learn how to cite generative AI in APA format.
These directions are current as of April 2023.
Example of APA Citation:
If you use the prompt “Is there such thing as luck?” the ChatGPT-generated text in this case indicated that "The concept of luck is a subjective and often culturally influenced belief. It typically refers to events or outcomes that seem to occur by chance, without any discernible cause or control by an individual. Whether luck is "real" or not is a matter of personal perspective and philosophical debate". (OpenAI, 2023).
Reference
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
(for more information click on the link)
Citing AI in Chicago Style
Here is the link to the Chicago Style website where you can learn how to cite generative AI in Chicago Style format.
Chicago Style Citation:
In Chicago style citations it is clear that you need to credit ChatGPT whenever you use it. According to their website however, you only need to acknowledge that you used ChatGPT in your text.
For the citation page in Chicago style format, it is important to note that ChatGPT substitutes as the author of the content.
Also be sure to check with your professors who use Chicago format to see how they would like you to format your AI citations.
(information comes from The Chicago Manual of Style Online)
Make sure to:
Always confirm with your professor whether AI tools like ChatGPT are allowed for each assignment.
You should always verify the information and sources that are generated by AI tools
AI has been known to generate false information and to cite non-existent sources
AI-generated text takes people's intellectual property without crediting them, which raises ethical concerns
In styles without specific guidance, information generated from AI tools is cited as personal communication; as personal communication is unrecoverable, it is cited in the text only and is not included on the references list
This guidance may be updated as recommendations evolve
Remember that you are responsible for fact-checking the information and determining if the sources that it provided are credible.