Citing AI

Transparency and Integrity

Acknowledging the use of AI tools in research is crucial for transparency and integrity. The use of artificial intelligence adds a new dimension to the research process, influencing how information is generated and interpreted. Clearly stating the involvement of AI not only upholds academic honesty but also allows your peers and educators to understand the unique methodology, contributing to an open and collaborative academic culture.

The incorporation of AI into your assignments necessitates a clear acknowledgment of their use. This practice fosters an environment where the intersection of academia with AI is openly discussed, promoting a deeper understanding of the transformative impact these tools have on learning and research. 

AI Acknowledgments

An AI acknowledgment may look something like this:

AI Acknowledgment Examples

The following photos are examples of various different AI acknowledgments based on the system used and application of the content. 

Generated Text:

Generated Images:

Revising Text:

References & Further Resources

Information is modeled on AI policies from Monash University (Australia) and adapted from Newman University LibGuides.

Monash University. (n.d.). Policy and practice guidance around acceptable and responsible use of AI technologies. Retrieved August 1, 2023. https://www.monash.edu/learning-teaching/teachhq/Teaching-practices/artificial-intelligence/policy-and-practice-guidance-around-acceptable-and-responsible-use-of-ai-technologies

Newman University. (2023). AI-Generated Content: Student AI Disclosures. Retrieved November 28, 2023. https://newmanu.libguides.com/ai-disclosure 

This research guide was developed by the PASCAL Training Working Group with some assistance from ChatGPT, a language model created by OpenAI.

Creative Commons Licence
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

APA Style

Here is a guide to citing use of AI in APA style.

The reference and in-text citations for AI are formatted as follows:

  • Bibliography entry:
    • Website Title. (Year) AI Name ([Month and Day] version) [AI application model*] [accessible link to website of AI]
    • Example: OpenAI. (2025) ChatGPT (March 7 version) [Large Language Model]. https://openai.com/index/chatgpt/
  • Parenthetical citation
    • (Website Title, year)
    • Example: (OpenAI, 2025)
  • Narrative citation
    • Website Title (Year).
    • Example: Open AI (2025).

*Application models are complex and require examination of the specific type of AI used. For example: ChatGPT is a "large language model," meaning it uses words to generate a response. iPhones use computer vision and speech recognition to operate FaceID and Siri, respectively. For the specific AI used in a project, this field will vary like all the others. 

MLA Style

Here is a guide to citing use of AI in MLA style.

The reference and in-text citations for AI are formatted as follows:

  • Bibliography entry:
    • "[Insert prompt here]" prompt. AI Name, [Date Month] version, Website Name, [Date of access], [accessible link to website of AI].
    • Example: "Generate an accurate MLA citation of AI use" prompt. ChatGPT, 7 Mar. version, OpenAI, 7 Mar. 2025, https://openai.com/index/chatgpt/.
  • Parenthetical citation
    • ("[Insert shortened version of prompt here")
    • Example: ("Generate AI citation in MLA")

Chicago/Turabian Style

Here is a guide to citing use of AI in Chicago/Turabian style.

The reference and in-text citations for AI are formatted as follows:

  • In-text citations
    • Notes-Bibliography
      • If text includes text prompt:
        • 1. Text generated by [AI Name], [website name], [date of access], [accessible link to website of AI].
        • Example: 1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, 7 March 2025, https://openai.com/index/chatgpt/.
      • If prompt is not present in text:
        • 1. [AI Name], response to "[prompt]," [website name], [date of access].
        • Example: 1. Chat GPT, response to "Generate an accurate MLA citation of AI use," OpenAI, March 7, 2025.
    • Author-Date
      • ([AI Name], [date of access])
      • Example: (ChatGPT, March 7, 2025)
  • Reference List
    • Talk to your instructor about their expectations, but the Chicago Manual of Style generally advises not to include AI-generated text in the reference list. However, because of the need for acknowledgment in an academic context, it may look something like the following:

AMA Style

Here is a guide to citing the use of AI in AMA style.

The American Medical Association does not acknowledge artificial intelligence as an author, therefore a written acknowledgment of the use in the Acknowledgments or Methods section of their writing if it is part of formal research design or methods.