Generative AI can be a useful tool for improving your writing. However, in an academic setting, you must cite generative AI use. This is also true when working for the federal government and some law firms and companies.
Before using generative AI, please refer to your professor’s policies about use. In the workplace – especially during your internship, refer to company policies.
When do I Cite?
Typically, all content that you pulled from another source must be cited. This includes for papers, presentations, reports, and scholarly writing. For generative AI, you would cite:
- Generated text or data that you rewrote, revised, or rephrased
- Generated text that you copy/pasted (may need to use quotation marks; see your professor’s instructions)
- Quoted generated text that you discuss in a paper, report or presentation
- AI tools used to process or analyze data
- Creative works like images, data visualizations, videos, or music
Some business professors may allow the use of Generative AI in professional writing contexts without citations in order to model workplace practices; however, we encourage you to follow your professor’s written instructions.
When you are unsure about a tool like Grammarly or an AI slide design tool, add a note after your Reference or Works Cited page to explain what tools you used and how.
If you have further questions, please come visit us in the Business Communication Center! You can book an appointment on our website.
Sample Citations
APA instructs authors to cite the AI company as the author and to list the date that you used it (where you see “Jan 1” below). Some models may not list the version date; in that case, list the version number like 3.5 or 4 for ChatGPT.
APA Sample Reference Page Entries:
- Company. (Year). AI App (Version or version date) [Large language model]. link
- Microsoft. (2024). Copilot (3.5) [Large language model]. https://bing.com/chat
- OpenAI. (2024). GPT-4 (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
APA Sample In-Text Citations
- End of Sentence: Citations are important (Microsoft, 2024).
- In the Sentence: According to OpenAI (2023), citations are important.
You can view the APA handbook in the library: APA Academic Writer.
MLA asks authors to cite the prompt rather than the AI model. MLA wants authors to cite generative AI used for creating text, images, etc., and for “functional uses” like editing text. “Functional uses,” including the use of Grammarly or a translation tool should be put into “a note, your text, or another suitable location.” Some models may not list the version date; in that case, list the version number like 3.5 or 4 for ChatGPT.
MLA Sample Works Cited Page Entries
- “First few words of the prompt” prompt. Model, version or date, date used, link
- “Describe citation methods” prompt. ChatGPT, 3.5, OpenAI, 25 Jan. 2024, chat.openai.com/chat.
- “Describe citation methods” prompt. Microsoft Copilot, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 25 Jan. 2024, https://bing.com/chat
MLA Sample In-Text Citations
- End of Sentence: Citations are important (“Describe Citation Methods”).
- In the Sentence: According to Microsoft Copilot, citations are important (“Describe Citation Methods”).
You can view the MLA handbook in the library: MLA Handbook Plus.
Chicago asks authors to credit generative AI tools when generating text, and allows authors to cite tools conversationally in the body of the text. Chicago recommends students add a footnote or endnote to cite generative AI tool use. Do not place the citation on the Reference list.
Sample:
Text generated by Model, Company, date viewed, link
[1]Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, April 25, 2024, chat.openai.com/chat.[2] Text generated by Copilot, Microsoft, April 25, 2024, https://bing.com/chat.
You can view The Chicago Manual of Style in the library: Chicago Manual of Style Online.
IEEE does not include how to cite generative AI. Some in the field recommend not using it or citing it. Others say to cite it as a private communication.
- OpenAI ChatGPT, private communication, April 2024.
- Microsoft Copilot, private communication, April 2024.