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Generative AI: Basics for Faculty

Citing AI

Below is information about the three most used citation styles. If your preferred style isn't featured, try a web search for [name of your preferred style] AI citation.

APA Citation Style

Example:

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4o mini) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

  • Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2024)
  • Narrative citation: OpenAI (2024)

Do:

  • provide your prompt in the text of your paper
  • treat the AI tool as an author
  • consider putting the full-text of AI output in an appendix to your paper

Include:

  • Author (creator of AI tool)
  • Date (year of the version you used)
  • Title (name of AI tool)
  • Version (in parentheses)
  • Description of tool (in brackets)
  • Source (URL)

Chicago Style

Example of numbered footnote/endnote:

1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, October 24, 2024, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

Example of footnote/endnote with prompt:

1. ChatGPT, response to “Explain how to make pizza dough from common household ingredients,” OpenAI, October 24, 2024.

When you edit AI generated text, say so in your text or at the end of your footnote/endnote.

Do:

  • credit AI tool in your own work (i.e. This recipe was generated by ChatGPT)
  • use a footnote or endnote if you need to include a full citation

Don’t:

  • cite AI in your bibliography/works cited 

MLA Style

Example:

“Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 24 Oct. 2024, chat.openai.com/chat.

Don’t:

  • treat the AI tool as an author

Do:

  • include your prompt in the citation

Include:

  • Title of source (what was generated by the AI tool)
  • Title of container (name of AI tool)
  • Version of AI (be as specific as possible, e.g. ChatGPT 4o mini
  • Publisher (company that made the tool)
  • Date content was created
  • Location (general URL for the tool)