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AI Tools: Citing AI

Lists and links of various AI tools

How to Cite AI Tools in Various Citation Styles

APA

In-Text Example:

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialized, “the notation that people can be characterized as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth” (OpenAI, 2023).

Bibliography Example:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

 

MLA

In-Text Example:

While the green light in The Great Gatsby might be said to chiefly symbolize four main things: optimism, the unattainability of the American dream, greed, and covetousness (“Describe the symbolism”), arguably the most important—the one that ties all four themes together—is greed.

Works Cited List Example:

“Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.

 

Chicago

In-Text Example:

Chicago does not require a citation for content generated by ChatGPT and other AI tools.  Mentioning it as the source of content within your work is enough; for example: ChatGPT created the following poem.

Your professor may still require a citation. Use only a footnote, not a bibliography citation, treating the AI tool as the author.

Footnote Example:

1. ChatGPT, response to “Describe a rose in 2 paragraphs,” OpenAI, September 26, 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.

1. AI Tool Name, response to “Full Text of Prompt,” Company Name, Date of Prompt, URL.

Acknowledging AI Use

If you choose to use AI tools in your research or writing process, you should:

  • Cite a generative AI tool whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate into your own work any content (whether text, image, data, or other) that was created by it.
  • Acknowledge all functional uses of the tool (like editing your prose or translating words) in a note, your text, or another suitable location.
  • If it is citing some other source, click through to see and vet the secondary sources it cites.

You should also check your course syllabus or talk to your professor to make sure you are following their guidelines and requirements for the class.

Citing & Acknowledging AI Sources