An FAQ entry on the Chicago style website describes how AI models can be cited. Chicago recommends only citing AI in a note (for the notes-bibliography system) or a parenthetical citation (for the author-date system) and not in a bibliography or reference list, unless you provide a publicly available URL (e.g., through a browser extension like ShareGPT or A.I. Archives). This style treats the AI model as an author.
Note number. Author, description of prompt, publisher, date the text was generated.
(Omit the prompt if it has been described in your text.)
1. ChatGPT, response to “Explain how to make pizza dough from common household ingredients,” OpenAI, February 26, 2024.
2. Stable Diffusion, image generated in response to "Pepperoni pizza" in a surrealist style, Black Technology LTD, February 28, 2024.
A parenthetical in-text citation should include any information not described in your text.
(ChatGPT 3.5, February 26, 2024)
(Stable Diffusion, February 28, 2024)
Purdue University Artificial Intelligence (AI)
History, Information, and Examples.
Confirm with your course coordinator or check your course syllabus before using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your assessment. Some instructors do not permit the use of AI tools, while others may allow AI with some limitations.
Any permitted use of AI for assessment must be acknowledged appropriately. Your course instructor will provide guidance on how to reference the use of AI tools. Some possible examples include:
Acknowledging your use of generative AI may not always involve a formal citation. For example, you could write a description of the tool you used and how you used it. For guidance on how to acknowledge use of AI in assignments, check with your course instructor.
Some citation styles have developed guidelines for citing ChatGPT and other generative AI. Content from generative AI was initially considered a nonrecoverable source because it couldn't be retrieved. If different users give ChatGPT the same prompt, it produces a unique response each time. However, you can now share output from ChatGPT using the linking feature within the tool or a third-party tool such as ShareGPT or AI Archives. These kinds of links can be useful for citing generative AI content. It is important to note that if you use the link feature within ChatGPT, deleting a conversation from your account will also cause the link to break.
The following examples are based on information provided by popular citation styles. As of February 2024, only APA, Chicago, and MLA have posted guidance about citing generative AI. Guidelines may change and new examples may be added. Consult resources specific to the citation style you are using.
AI models sometimes produce incorrect, biased or outdated information. Verify the accuracy of AI-generated content using reliable sources before including it in your work.
Additionally, there may be legal or ethical issues to consider when using AI. Works created by non-humans may not eligible for copyright protection under certain laws. If you intend to publish work incorporating AI-generated content, check the publisher guidelines about what is allowed.
When interacting with AI models, you should be cautious about supplying sensitive information, including personal, confidential or propriety information or data.
This page was adapted from by the Using Generative AI guide from the University of Alberta, which is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 DEED.
This page was adapted from ChatGPT and Other Generative AI Tools by the University of Queensland Library, which is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
