While some citation and referencing styles have published interim direction on how AI generated materials should be cited, many still do not have specific guidelines. In general, though, you should treat AI-generated materials as a non-recoverable source and/or akin to personal communication, and follow guidelines for how to cite those resource types with your chosen reference style.
As of June 2023, APA style recommends citing the AI tool as the author, with in-text citations and references adapted from the reference template for software in Section 10.10 of the Publication Manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, Chapter 10)
Name of Company/creator of generative AI Tool. (Year). ChatGPT (Month Date version) [Large language model]. URL.
Formatting: Double-space your reference list and use a 0.5 inch hanging indent for each entry.
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (June 16 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
For more on the APA style see the BCIT Research Guide on APA.
MLA has provided guidance for how to cite GenAI, including non-textual outputs. As of June 2023, MLA does not recommend treating an AI tool as an author, and instead using the Title of Container (e.g., ChatGPT) element to specify the AI tool. The link includes a citation example:
While the green light in The Great Gatsby might be said to chiefly symbolize four main things: optimism, the unattainability of the American dream, greed, and covetousness ("Describe the symbolism"), arguably the most important -- the one that ties all four themes together--is greed.
"Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald" prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
For more on MLA style see the BCIT Research Guide on MLA.
There is no formal guidance regarding how to reference AI-generated content in IEEE referencing style. Until formal advice is available use the Unpublished Material / Private Communication format.
Modern research tools lead to better results (OpenAI's ChatGPT, private communication, 10 March 2023).
You do not need to include an entry in the reference list.
For more on the IEEE style see the BCIT Research Guide on IEEE.
Although there is no specific guidance offered by Vancouver Style editors, AI content is generally considered personal communication and/or non-recoverable data, and therefore should not be included as a reference in your reference list according to the Vancouver Style.
AI-generated content can be cited in-text using the following format:
Type of Communication, Communicator, Date (DMY)
You can also include further information, such as the prompt you offered the AI in type of communication.
Examples:
In an online chat with Open AI's ChatGPT (23 March 2023)...
A chat generated a potentially useful script for dealing with these interactions (ChatGPT response, prompt for "How to resolve conflict with a coworker", 24 March 2023).
...(Grammarly paraphrase, 22 February 2023).
Do not include.
This page includes citation guidance from UBC, UC San Diego, and Victoria University, available under Creative Commons Attribution licenses.
Teaching with Generative AI LibGuide by BCIT Library Services is licensed CC BY-NC, meaning it can be used for non-commercial purposes if attribution is provided. Learn more about Creative Commons licenses on the BCIT Open Education LibGuide.
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