Citing AI is becoming more and more important as we incorporate these tools into our research and writing. What’s tricky is that chats in AI may be “non-retrievable data,” which means other people can’t access the chat to check your source and if they replicate your prompt or question, they may get a different answer. Since AI tools generate content that does not quite fit into traditional sources, we need to adapt the company, tool, and prompt information to fit.
If you use an AI tool that does cite its sources, you also need to acknowledge secondary sources in your work.
Some styles require a version number of the AI tool. For example, the format for the version number in ChatGPT references includes the date because that is how OpenAI is labeling the versions. Different large language models or software might use different version numbering; use the version number in the format the author or publisher provides, which may be a numbering system.
If you choose to use ChatGPT or some other AI technology for writing, be sure you are transparent about your use of it with your instructors. Each citation style has different recommendations for citing generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Some examples are listed below, but check with the individual style guides for more detailed instructions on in text citation and variations.
Please note:
AI tools may generate citations for sources that do not exist.
They may be unable to provide specific sources or citations for the information shared in a response to a query because responses come from its training material.
These tools are only as good as the training bank or information they draw from.
APA 7:
AI Company Name. (year, month day). Title of chat in italics [Description, such as Generative AI chat]. Tool Name/Model. URL of the chat
Parenthetical citation: (AI Company Name, year)
For more: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/cite-generative-ai-references
MLA 9:
“Summarize the book Little Women” prompt. ChatGPT, 8 July version, OpenAI, 30 Jun. 2024, chat.openai.com/chat.
For more: https://style.mla.org/citing-generative-ai/
Chicago 17 (Numbered Footnote):
For prompt included in text (URL optional):
1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, July 8, 2024, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
For prompt not included in text:
1. ChatGPT, response to “Explain how to make pizza dough from common household ingredients,” OpenAI, July 8, 2024.
For more: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/data/faq/topics/Documentation/faq0422.html
