Citation Help Guides

Content from generative AI tools differs from any other form of content. Generative AI tools use other sources, such as documents, images, and more for training. Because of the broad sources AI is trained on, the training sources used to generate the content you receive is likely inaccessible.

Here are some basics for best practices when incorporating content from a generative AI tool:

• Always check with your instructor before using generative AI tools for coursework, including AI features built into other apps.
• Some of this guidance may be updated as recommendations evolve.
• Verify info before you include it in your work. AI tools like ChatGPT can provide responses that are not factually accurate. At times, the tools themselves completely make up information or create false sources. Use non-AI sources to verify accuracy, and cite those sources as well
• Keep in mind that each citation style has a unique approach to citing AI. Double check that your citations match the current recommendations for the citation style used in your course
• Remember: if you are experiencing difficulty creating a citation, please do not hesitate to reach out to the library!

When citing AI-generated content with APA:

• Describe the AI tool you used and how you used it. Include the exact text of the question or prompt you entered and relevant portions of the AI-generated response
• Include a copy of the AI-generated content (i.e. the full transcript of your ChatGPT chat, DALL-E images, etc.) in an Appendix section of your paper. The Appendix begins on a new page after your References. 
• The creator or company is considered the author of the content.
• The URL should link to the general site of the AI tool or to specific content if possible. 

General format:

Creator of the tool. (Year this version was released). Name of the AI tool (include version number or version name) [Type of AI Model]. URL

Example:

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4o version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/share/1269b8b8-6365-4541-9f09-fdeed08c8acd

In-Text Citations:

Include the name of the creator or company and the year in parentheses. 

Example: 
The first step in making homemade ice cream is to "whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt"  (OpenAI, 2024). 

Citing AI-Generated Images:
Include a figure number and brief title above the image. Below the image, include a brief caption that describes the work, and the prompt used to generate the work. There is no requirement to cite the image in the reference page.

Example:

Figure 1 

An AI-generated image of an alligator with sunglasses

Note. Image generated using Adobe Firefly from the prompt colorful illustration of an alligator with sunglasses.

When citing generative AI with MLA:

• Cite the AI tool used when paraphrasing, quoting, or when including any aspect of the output from an AI tool in any way
• Cite the information as though there is no author. MLA does not recognize the AI tool as the author
• The URL in the citation should link to the specific content being included if possible. If that is unavailable, include the general URL to the AI tool.

The most common format:

Prompt. AI Tool, Version, Company/Creator, date the content was generated, URL.

Instructions for making hazelnut tea. ChatGPT, OpenAI, 20 May 2024, https://chatgpt.com/share/1269b8b8-6365-4541-9f09-fdeed08c8acd.

AI-Generated Creative Text Works:

If an AI tool is used to generate a text work that has a title (ex: poem or story), the title of the creative work should be included in quotation marks. Following the title in the quotation marks, include a brief description of the work.

Example:
"Gone Fishin'" song in the style of Dolly Parton about how to catch a trout. ChatGPT, OpenAI, 22 May 2024, https://chatgpt.com/share/e1478149-0558-4aea-a55b-a063cb5e9133.

If you did not title the work, incorporate part of the first line in the Title section.

Example:
"Mornin' sun is risin'..." Dolly Parton song about how to catch a trout. ChatGPT, 4o version, OpenAI, 22 May 2024, chat.openai.com/chat

AI-Generated Creative Visual Works:

When including an AI-generated image, use a description of the prompt, followed by the AI tool, version, and date created. Include it as a numbered figure and abbreviate it to Fig. and include a description. 

Example: 

Fig. 1. "Dramatic black and white illustrative painting of a pepperoni pizza" prompt, Firefly, Image 3, Adobe, 22 May 2024, https://firefly.adobe.com/

When citing generative AI with Chicago-Turabian:

Generative AI tools must be credited when incorporating AI generated information or content into your own work. The credit should be given in the text or in a footnote entry.

The AI generated tool should only be cited in the bibliography if a publicly available URL is included. There is no requirement to include a general URL (such as https://chat.openai.com/chat or https://gemini.google.com).

Citing AI-generated text:

Include in your citation:

• Author: The name of the generative AI tool (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
• Prompt: Include the prompt that was given to the AI tool
• Date: The date to the include is the day the text was generated
• Publisher: The developer or company that created the tool
  • OpenAI for ChatGPT
  • OpenAI for DALL-E
  • Google for Gemini
  • Microsoft for Copilot

Footnote format:

1. AI tool, response to "prompt," date, developer.

Example:

1. Text generated by ChatGPT, May 23, 2024, OpenAI.

If you have the specific URL for the chat sent, end the citation with the specific URL. If you only have a general URL for the AI tool, do not include the URL. 

If the prompt has not been included in the text, include it in the note. 

Example:

1. ChatGPT, response to "Instructions for making homemade ice cream," May 23, 2024, OpenAI.

Citing AI-generated images:

Visual materials used in assessment tasks do not require the permissions that are required for commercial use, but it is crucial that you appropriately credit the creator of the work and reference it in your work.

In order to appropriately attribute credit to the creator, include credit in the text or in the notes acknowledging how the image was generated: "This image was generated with the assistance of AI."

Example:

"An abstract painting of lava flowing from a volcano," image generated by Adobe's Firefly 3, May 23, 2024.