Tool developer. (Year). Model (Month Day version or version number) [Type of AI model if known] URL
(company, year)
APA reference entry: OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Feb 13 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com
APA in-text citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
Whenever possible, directly link to the generative AI interaction. To do this, allow sharing during the interaction with the GenAI tool so anyone using a link can view the interaction.
The official APA blog: How to cite ChatGPT has more information for citing Generative AI.
The name of the model serves as the title and should be italicized in the reference. APA guidance says ou should use the general name, such as ChatGPT, not the iterations, such as ChatGPT-3 or ChatGPT-4, because the updates are identified in the version section.
Version identification is provided in parentheses after the title. For some models, the version identification will be the month and day (the year having been provided before the date). This is the case, for example, for OpenAI’s ChatGPT. For other models, the version identification might be a number, such as Google’s Gemini.
In APA style, bracketed text provides additional information, typically for references identifying things that are not traditional peer-reviewed articles. For GenAI tools, often this would be “large language model” or “large multimedia model.” Use the information that the company provides.
At the end of the citation, you should provide the URL. Provide the most specific URL available rather than simply a home page. For example, for ChatGPT, provide https://chatgpt.com or https://chat.openai.com/chat, not https://openai.com.
The suggested style for the citation of AI-generated images is as follows:
Developer's Name. (Version Year). Name of AI tool (Version number) [Type of AI model, if known]. URL of tool
When using Generative AI it can sometimes be helpful (or sometimes might be required) to provide the full transcript of your interaction as part of an appendix. In these cases the APA provides the following guidance.
“You may also put the full text of long responses from ChatGPT in an appendix of your paper or in online supplemental materials, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated. It is particularly important to document the exact text created because ChatGPT will generate a unique response in each chat session, even if given the same prompt. If you create appendices or supplemental materials, remember that each should be called out at least once in the body of your APA Style paper."
“When given a follow-up prompt of “What is a more accurate representation?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that “different brain regions work together to support various cognitive processes” and “the functional specialization of different regions can change in response to experience and environmental factors” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript)."
“OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat”
(McAdoo “How to cite ChatGPT”)
“Text of prompt” prompt. Model, Day Month version, Tool developer, Day Month Year, URL.
(“text of prompt”)
MLA format: “Text of prompt” prompt. ChatGPT, Day Month version, OpenAI, Day Month Year, chat.openai.com.
MLA Works Cited entry: “Explain antibiotics” prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 16 Feb. 2023, chat.openai.com.
MLA in-text citation: ("Explain antibiotics")
The official MLA website for citing Generative AI has more information.
Describe what was generated by the AI tool. This may involve including information about the prompt in the Title of Source element if you have not done so in the text.
Use the Title of Container element to name the AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Grammarly AI etc.).
Name the version of the AI tool as specifically as possible. For example, the examples in this post were developed using ChatGPT 3.5, which assigns a specific date to the version, so the Version element shows this version date.
Name the company that made the tool.
Give the date the content was generated.
Give the general URL for the tool.
Sometimes you might use a Generative AI for various academic purposes but not in a way that would require a citation. In these cases, you might use one of the provided disclaimers below. If you are doing this for a class, check the course policies or check with your instructor on the appropriate use of GenAI and how to explain your use in your paper.
Citation is crucial in academic work because it serves as a bridge between the writer and the reader, fostering an ongoing conversation rather than merely a safeguard against plagiarism. By attributing ideas, data, and quotes to their original sources, citations give credit where it's due and respect the intellectual property of others. However, their role goes beyond avoiding "stealing" someone else's work. Citations provide readers with a roadmap to the writer's research journey, allowing them to trace the origins of ideas, explore the sources themselves, and engage more deeply with the topic. This transparency enriches the academic dialogue, enabling readers to verify information, challenge interpretations, or build on the work, thus contributing to the collective knowledge within a field.
"While drafting this assignment, I utilized (name of the Generative AI program used) to brainstorm and refine my writing process. All final ideas, arguments, and phrasing are original and reflect my own academic work."
"(Name of the Generative AI program used) was consulted during my research process to explore different perspectives and gather ideas. The research and conclusions presented in this paper are my own, and any AI-assisted input was used solely for brainstorming purposes."
"(Name of the Generative AI program used) was used as a study aid to help me better understand the subject matter. The interpretations, analyses, and conclusions in this work are entirely my own."
"I used (Name of Generative AI program used) to help generate ideas and explore different angles for this assignment. The content and conclusions presented here are the result of my own critical thinking and research."
"I have used AI-based tools, (insert the name of the specific Gen AI tool here) , to help clarify concepts and refine my understanding of the topic. However, the ideas, analysis, and final content presented in this work are my own."
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