How to cite generative AI?

The goal of citing generative AI tools, similar to traditional sources, is to ensure transparency and reliability in scholarly work while also acknowledging the contribution of the technology and content creator in the research process. Organizations that develop citation styles, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, have already proposed ways to cite AI-generated content.

Regardless of the citation style chosen, it is important to keep in mind a few basic rules regarding the citation of AI-generated content:

• Providing the source: if you use content generated by AI, it is good practice to provide the source - whether it is text or images.

• Explaining AI's role: for readers to fully understand how AI influenced the creation of content, it is helpful to describe the tasks it performed and how it affected the outcomes. This helps to clarify AI's role in the research process.

• Verification of authenticity: when using quotes or sources generated by AI, it is worth checking their authenticity. AI models sometimes create references that may be non-existent or difficult to verify.

• Compliance with guidelines: before deciding to use AI, it is wise to ensure that its use is compliant with the guidelines of your academic institution or course instructor. Adhering to these principles helps avoid ethical issues in scholarly work and supports the transparency of the research process.

APA style

APA style suggests describing how a specific tool is used in one of the sections of the paper, such as the methodology or introduction. It is a good idea to provide details about the tool's use, such as sample prompts and generated answers. In APA style, it is necessary to give credit to the tool's creator in the form of a reference in the text and in the bibliography.

Key elements of style:

• Author: This is the institution that created the tool (e.g. OpenAI).

• Date: Should indicate the year of release of the tool version being used.

• Title: Model title in italics. In case of OpenAI tools there are many name updates, e.g. ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4. In this case it is recommended to use the generic model name, without the version number (e.g. ChatGPT).

• Tool version: After the title, include the version number or update date in parentheses.

Example

For OpenAI tools, the version number is an integral part of the model name, so it should be provided without an additional date (e.g., GPT-4). For ChatGPT, you should provide the update date to indicate which version of the interface or model you used (e.g., ChatGPT (version from March 14)).

Example

For other generative AI tools, if the tool uses a different versioning method (e.g., version numbering or exact dates), use the format that best reflects how it is versioned (e.g., Bard (version 1.2)).

Description: In square brackets, add a short description of the tool type, such as "[Large language model]" or "[Image generation model]".

Source: End the citation with a URL that leads directly to the tool or its documentation (e.g. https://chat.openai.com/chat).

Example

Citation in brackets: (OpenAI, 2023)

AI-generated text (OpenAI, 2023) emphasized that AI can certainly play an increasingly important role in creative processes, but completely replacing humans in these tasks seems unlikely.

Narrative citation: (OpenAI, 2023)

OpenAI (2023) emphasizes that while AI can certainly play an increasingly important role in creative processes, it seems unlikely that it will completely replace humans in these tasks.

Full reference:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (March 14 release) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Additional information:

Long AI-generated answers can be placed in appendices or supplementary materials to provide readers with full context:

In response to the question “Can AI technology completely replace humans in creative tasks?” the ChatGPT-generated text explained that while AI may play an increasingly important role in creative processes, completely replacing humans in these tasks seems unlikely (OpenAI, 2023; see the Appendix for full text).

MLA Style

MLA style is based on a flexible approach, taking into account the development of new AI tools. It is recommended to adapt the following guidelines as needed. All content that was generated by AI (texts, paraphrases, graphics, etc.) should be cited. Furthermore, the use of these tools for text editing, i.e. translation, should also be accompanied by a note.

Key elements of style

• Author: It is not recommended to treat the tool as the author (e.g. ChatGPT). Instead, you should indicate the institution that created the tool (e.g. OpenAI).

• Source Title: Describe what was generated by the AI ​​tool. This could include information about the command (prompt) used. An example is a description that explains what was generated, e.g. "Can AI technology completely replace humans in creative tasks?"

• Container Title: Provide a name for the tool (e.g. ChatGPT).

• Tool Version: Provide the version number or update date of the tool used. As with APA style, the designation depends on how the tool is versioned and described by its creators.

Example

For OpenAI tools, the version number is an integral part of the model name, so it should be provided without an additional date (e.g. GPT-4). For ChatGPT, you should provide an update date to indicate which version of the interface or model you were using (e.g. ChatGPT (March 14 version)).

Example

For other generative AI tools, if the tool uses a different versioning method (e.g., version numbering or exact dates), use the format that best reflects how it is versioned (e.g., Bard (version 1.2)).

Publisher: Indicate the institution that created the tool (e.g. OpenAI).

Date: Provide the date the content was generated by the AI ​​tool.

Location: It is recommended to indicate a general URL leading to the tool (e.g. https://chat.openai.com/chat).

Example

• Quoting text content
  Prompt: Can AI technology completely replace humans in creative tasks?
  In-text reference: While AI can certainly have an increasing impact on creative processes, fully replacing humans in these areas seems unlikely (“Can AI Technology Completely Replace Humans”).
  Citation in the bibliography: Can AI technology completely replace humans” prompt. ChatGPT, March 14 version, Open AI, August 26, 2024, https://chat.openai.com/chat
• Citing visual content (e.g. images)
  Prompt: Generate an image showing people in an office learning to code
  Image caption: Fig. 1. “Image showing people in an office learning to code” prompt, DALL-E, version 3, OpenAI, August 26, 2024, https://www.bing.com/images/create?FORM=GENILP
• Quoting creative text content (e.g. poem, song)
  Prompt: Write a story titled "Twilight on the Lake" that describes the beauty of a sunset over a lake.
  Citation in the bibliography: “Twilight on the Lake” a story about a sunset on a lake. ChatGPT, March 14 version, OpenAI, August 26, 2024, https://chat.openai.com/chat
  If a piece of work does not have a title, we can use part or all of the first line as the title for the element.
• Citing secondary sources used by the AI ​​tool
  If an AI tool like Bing AI cites a secondary source, you should verify the source yourself and, if citing, treat that as your source.

Chicago Style

W Chicago style, a brief mention of the AI ​​tool used is recommended in less formal texts. In formal works, footnotes or endnotes are preferred. If the AI-generated text has been edited, this should also be noted in the footnote. Unlike other styles, the AI ​​tool should not be mentioned in the bibliography or reference list unless a public link to the specific conversation or generated material is available.

Key elements of style

• Author: The author is the tool used, the generic name of the model, without the version number (e.g. ChatGPT).

• Title: The title should reflect the content of the command (e.g. text generated by ChatGPT).

• Publisher: Indicate the institution that created the tool (e.g. OpenAI).

• Date: Provide the date the content was generated by the AI ​​tool.

• Source: End the citation with a URL that leads directly to the tool or its documentation (e.g. https://chat.openai.com/chat). The URL is not a necessary part of the reference, because it is not possible to reach the private conversation. However, due to the new functionalities introduced by AI, it is becoming possible to generate a publicly available link to the chat (Brown University Library, 2024).

Examples

Citing in a footnote or endnote

If information about the prompt used was included in the text of the work:

Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, August 26, 2024, https://chat.openai.com/chat .

Appeal with information about the prompt:

ChatGPT, response to “Can AI technology completely replace humans in creative tasks?”, OpenAI, August 26, 2024, https://chat.openai.com/chat .

Additional information:

If you are editing AI-generated text, this information should be included in the text or a note (e.g. "edited for style and content").

Stylistic adjustments to text (e.g. changing the font) generated by AI do not need to be described.

The problem of “unintentional plagiarism”

Using content generated by AI models carries the risk of copyright infringement and (inadvertent) plagiarism. Generated content may be based on copyrighted material, increasing the likelihood of similarity to existing texts, without proper attribution (Kwon, 2024; Cornell University Task Force, 2023). To minimize the risk of “inadvertent plagiarism,” AI-generated texts can be checked using standard plagiarism checkers. For more on ethical controversies surrounding generative AI, see: → Ethical challenges

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References:

Kwon, D. (2024). AI is complicating plagiarism. How should scientists respond? Nature. DOI

Cornell University Task Force. (2023). Generative AI in Academic Research: Perspectives and Cultural Norms. Cornell University. DOI