While some citation and referencing styles have published interim direction on how AI generated materials should be cited, many still do not have specific guidelines. In general, though, you should treat AI-generated materials as a non-recoverable source and/or akin to personal communication, and follow guidelines for how to cite those resource types with your chosen reference style.
Below are some suggestions on citing generative AI materials in some of the major citation styles.
As always, please be sure to check with your instructor if in doubt about when to cite AI and what style to use.
-Adapted from the Fleming College LibGuide on GenAI
In a post from April 7, 2023, APA offers some guidance on citing AI-generated materials and AI software.
First, APA suggests ensuring you describe how you used the AI tool in your research in a method section or comparable section of your paper.
APA also suggests that given that AI generated content like chats are not created by a person, that they cannot be considered personal communication. Instead, treat the content as an algorithm's output, and credit the author of the algorithm with a reference list entry and in-text citation.
You can also put the full text of long responses in an appendix or online supplemental materials.
-Adapted from University of Waterloo ChatGPT and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Example:
Perplexity. (2023). Perplexity.ai (AI Chatbot) [Large language model]. https://www.perplexity.ai/
As of March 17, 2023, MLA has provided some guidance on citing generative AI, including ChatGPT and DALL-E.
In summary, MLA recommends
-Adapted from University of Waterloo ChatGPT and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Example:
OpenAI. "ChatGPT." ChatGPT Pro, chatgpt.pro/, February 2, 2023.
The Chicago Manual of Style does not have official recommendations for reference generative AI, but does provide some guidance about citing AI generated materials in a Q&A. (as of June 2023).
Currently, Chicago treats the AI model as an author, and the format as a personal communication; therefore references to AI generated content are included in a footnote but not in a bibliography or reference list.
Do not include.
Note number. Originator of the communication and description of the prompt, date the text was generated, publisher, General URL
Example:
1. ChatGPT, response to "Create a haiku in the style of Edgar Allen Poe," June 16, 2023, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
In an author-date version where parenthetical citations are used in text, any information not in the text would be placed in a parenthentical reference.
Example:
(ChatGPT, June 16, 2023).