Please note that the AI field is new and evolving every day. The guidance below will be updated as recommendations evolve.
Last updated September 11, 2023.
In some tasks, you may be able to use AI tools for background research or to generate an outline for your essay or report (as stated earlier, please follow your professor's guidance before using any AI tools).
In this case, rather than citing and referencing specific text generated by AI tools, you should provide a general acknowledgement within your assignment to explain that an AI tool was used in writing your assignment.
Include as much detail as possible, including how you used the AI tool, the prompt used, the date you used the tool, and the name, creator and version of the AI tool.
In some cases, professors may also want you to include the transcription of the discussion with the AI.
Example: On the 26th June 2023, I used the May 24 version of OpenAI's ChatGPT 3.5 to perform background research using the following prompt "Explain the difference between deep learning and machine learning".
The APA recommends that text generated from AI be treated as output from an algorithm and should therefore be cited as a software.
Software is cited as follows:
Author, A. (YYYY), Name of model (Version number) [Model Description]. URL
Example:
| Reference List | In-Text Citation |
| OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat | (OpenAI, 2023) |
This citation is based on APA's Publication Manual's entry for citing software, which can be found in section 10.10
More information on how to cite AI using APA style can be found on the APA Style Blog
The Modern Language Association provides detailed guidance on citing generative AI according to their template.
Personal communications are cited in a footnote, but are not listed in the bibliography.
Rule: Number.Originator of the communication, medium, Day Month, Year.
Example: 1 OpenAI's ChatGPT AI language model, response to question from author, 7 February, 2023.
Shortened note rule: NumberCorrespondent's last name, medium
Example: 1 ChatGPT, response to prompt from author
Personal communications are cited within the text, but are not listed in the reference list.
Rule: (Correspondent's Full Name, medium if relevant, Month Day, Year)
Example: (OpenAI's ChatGPT, response to prompt from author, February 22, 2023)
Content for this page was borrowed from Dalhousie's Citation Style Guide and RMIT University Artificial intelligence - referencing guidelines.