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Citing sources: Citing ChatGPT and other AI

When and how to cite (and avoid accidental plagiarism!)

AI: Understand your instructors' policies

Generative AI: Understand Your Instructors' Policies

Thank you for visiting this informational page about citing the use of generative AI* outputs. Your thoughtful consideration of this subject is appreciated.

Please make sure that you understand your instructors' policies about the use of generative AI (genAI) in your course work. If you don't know what their policies are, please ask them. You are also encouraged to ask your instructors to establish a policy about the use of genAI into their syllabi if you cannot find one there.

  1. NOTE: To meet academic integrity standards, use of any generative AI that contributes content to your graded or assessed work requires citation.
  2. NOTE: genAI outputs are not "sources." Sources are a person, thing, or place from which specific, distinctly locatable, and attributable information is obtained. These criteria do not apply to genAI outputs. Citations for genAI outputs generally are used to cite your methodology: your use of a toolThe distinction is important. Please contact a TCC Librarian or the TCC Writing and Tutoring Center for help if you would like more information about what, when, and how to cite.

*includes, but is not limited to ChatGPT, DALL-E, CoPilot, Claude, Midjourney

Q: How do I cite AI generated output in my course work?

A: There is no "common" citation style for genAI outputs. Prompt the genAI tool you are using for guidelines on how to cite their outputs. See boxes below for examples.

A: If you use the outputs of more than one genAI tool in a single assignment, please adopt just one genAI citation style within that assignment so that you are consistent. It doesn't matter which genAI's citation style you choose - just pick one style and stick with it!

A: If you are required to use a formal citation style in an assignment, use that style to make citations for genAI outputs. See the links below for information about how to cite genAI outputs in MLA, APA, and Chicago styles.

OpenAI's ChatGPT

In response the the prompt: What is your advice for citing ChatGPT outputs?:

If you're creating your own citation style for ChatGPT outputs, it’s important to ensure that the format is clear and consistent while providing the necessary information. Below is a general structure you could follow for citing ChatGPT responses, while also adapting it to your personal citation preferences:

Suggested Citation Format:

  1. Author: OpenAI (as the creator of ChatGPT).
  2. Date of Response: Include the specific date of the ChatGPT interaction to give context to the timing of the information.
  3. Content Type: Indicate that the source is an AI-generated response (e.g., “ChatGPT response” or "AI output").
  4. Medium/Platform: Mention the platform through which you accessed the model (e.g., "ChatGPT interface," "OpenAI API").
  5. URL or Access Information: If relevant or applicable, include the URL or specify the platform or software where the model was accessed.

Example Citation Format:

Basic Structure:

  • Author: OpenAI
  • Date: January 22, 2025
  • Content Type: ChatGPT response
  • Platform: ChatGPT interface (or specific platform name)
  • Access: (URL, or platform description, if available)

Example: OpenAI. ChatGPT response. January 22, 2025. ChatGPT interface.

In-Text Citation:

You could adapt your in-text citation similarly, keeping it simple but informative. For example:

  • (OpenAI, 2025)
  • (OpenAI, ChatGPT response, 2025)

Key Considerations for Your Style:

  • Clarity: Make sure your citation clearly explains that the information comes from an AI, since ChatGPT is not a traditional source with human authorship.
  • Date and Version: Since AI models can be updated over time, including the date of the interaction helps contextualize the information you are citing.
  • Platform/Interface: Depending on where you accessed the model (via a website, API, or app), include this information to give more context for readers.

By establishing this consistent approach, you’ll help readers understand that the source is an AI-generated response and provide the necessary details to locate the source (where possible).

----------------------

Citations for the output above:

Full reference:

OpenAI. ChatGPT response. January 22, 2025. ChatGPT interface.

In-text:

(OpenAI, 2025)

Anthropic's Claude

In response the the prompt: What is your advice for citing Claude outputs?

Here's my guidance for citing outputs from me (Claude):

Since I'm an AI system, the most appropriate citation format would be similar to how you'd cite software or other digital tools. I recommend following these guidelines:

In-text citation example: "[specific quote or content]" (Claude 3.5 Sonnet, 2024)

Reference list example: Anthropic. (2024). Claude 3.5 Sonnet [Large language model]. Retrieved [date] from conversation with Claude.

A few important notes:

  1. Always mention that the source is an AI system in your writing for transparency
  2. Keep in mind that my outputs can vary even for the same prompt
  3. I cannot verify the factual accuracy of my responses with full certainty
  4. For academic work, check your institution's specific guidelines on citing AI tools

If you're using my responses for anything important, I recommend:

  • Fact-checking any factual claims independently
  • Saving the full conversation for reference
  • Being transparent about the use of AI assistance

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Citations for the output above:

Full reference:

Anthropic. (2024). Claude 3.5 Sonnet [Large language model]. Retrieved January 22, 2025 from conversation with Claude.

In-text:

(Anthropic, 2024)

Formal citation styles, APA. MLA, & Chicago

If you are required to use a formal citation style in your work, APA, MLA, and Chicago have some guidelines for writing citations for genAI outputs, or application of outputs.

CC BY SA license

Except where otherwise noted, the content in these guides by Tacoma Community College Library is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
This openly licensed content allows others to cite, share, or modify this content, with credit to TCC Library. When reusing or adapting this content, include this statement in the new document: This content was originally created by Tacoma Community College Library and shared with a CC BY SA 4.0 license.

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