If you choose to use generative AI tools to develop course lectures, activities, and other course materials, give special attention to how you acknowledge and cite the output of those tools in your coursework.
As with all things related to AI, the standards for citing AI-generated content are likely to evolve over the next few years. Here are some fundamental ideas that hold true for citing AI-generated content.
Why Cite AI-generated Content?
Citing AI-generated content serves three key purposes:
Transparency and Academic Integrity
Acknowledging the use of AI promotes transparency and avoids accusations of plagiarism.
By modeling correct behaviors, instructors can encourage students to be open about the use of AI tools in their own work.
Verification and Critical Evaluation
Citing AI enables others to locate the sources used in your research and verify results, when needed.
This upholds academic rigor and the importance of human oversight in evaluating the validity of AI-generated content.
Ethical Use and Respect for Copyright
Citing AI promotes a culture of respect for intellectual property and copyright.
This ensures ethical use of the technology and discourages misuse or misrepresentation of AI-generated content.
How to Cite AI: General Guidelines
At present, the major style guides have released preliminary standards for citing AI-generated content. Here are some general guidelines:
- Identify the AI Tool: State the name of the AI tool used (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.).
- Version: Include the version number or date of the AI tool.
- Input: Briefly describe the input provided to the AI tool (e.g., prompt, parameters, or data).
- Output: Indicate the type of output generated (e.g., Text, Image, Code).
Format the information using existing citation styles (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago) based on your department or program. See the following examples:
APA Style
Reference Format
- Author. (Year). Name of Tool (Month Day version) [Tool descriptor]. URL
- OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (Mar 23 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
In-Text Citation
There are several positive reinforcement techniques for classroom management, including specific praise, tangible rewards, and recognition of desired behaviors (OpenAI, 2024). These emphasize the need for consistency and work to maintain student motivation and engagement.
Additional Resource
MLA Style
Works Cited Format
- "Description of chat" prompt. Name of Tool, Day Month. version, Author, Day Month. Year, URL.
- "Positive reinforcement examples" prompt. ChatGPT, 23 Mar. version, OpenAI, 4 Mar. 2024, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
In-Text Citation
There are several positive reinforcement techniques for classroom management, including specific praise, tangible rewards, and recognition of desired behaviors ("Positive reinforcement examples"). These emphasize the need for consistency and work to maintain student motivation and engagement.
Additional Resource
Chicago Manual Style
Footnote Format
#. Text generated by Name of Tool, Author, Month Day Year, URL
1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 4, 2024, https://chat.openai.com/chat
In-Text Citation
There are several positive reinforcement techniques for classroom management, including specific praise, tangible rewards, and recognition of desired behaviors.1 These emphasize the need for consistency and work to maintain student motivation and engagement.
Additional Resources
Can I Use Generative AI Tools to Create Citations?
In short, no. While AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can be asked to generate citations, they have proven to be unreliable, often fabricating sources or presenting information in incorrect formats.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you avoid using GenAI tools to create citations or add citations directly to your content.
Additional Examples
Let's look at some additional examples of citing AI-generated content for formats other than text.
Images
APA Style
- In-Text Citation: The digital artwork of future classrooms (Figure 1) showcases AI's potential to envision innovative learning spaces (DALL-E, 2024).
- Reference: OpenAI. (2024). DALL-E (Version 2) [AI image generator]. https://openai.com/dall-e-2
MLA Style
- In-Text Citation: The digital artwork of future classrooms (see Fig. 1) showcases AI's potential to envision innovative learning spaces ("Future learning spaces").
- Works Cited: Fig. 1. “Future learning spaces” prompt, DALL-E, version 2, OpenAI, 4 Mar. 2024, https://openai.com/dall-e-2.
Chicago Style
- In-Text Citation: The digital artwork of future classrooms1 showcases AI's potential to envision innovative learning spaces.
- Footnote: 1. Image generated by DALL-E 2, OpenAI, March 4, 2024, https://openai.com/dall-e-2
Image Captioning
- A vision of future classrooms generated by DALL-E 2.
Media
APA Style
- In-Text Citation: The animation of cellular respiration shows the biochemical processes involved in converting nutrients into energy (Deepmotion, 2024).
- Reference: K. Kaichuan. (2024). Deepmotion (Version 5.1) [AI video generator]. https://www.deepmotion.com/
MLA Style
- In-Text Citation:The animation of cellular respiration shows the biochemical processes involved in converting nutrients into energy ("Cellular respiration process").
- Works Cited: “Cellular respiration process” prompt, Deepmotion, version 5.1, K. Kaichuan, 4 Mar. 2024, https://www.deepmotion.com.
Chicago Style
- In-Text Citation:The animation of cellular respiration shows the biochemical processes involved in converting nutrients into energy.1
- Footnote:1. Video generated by Deepmotion 5.1, K. Kaichuan, March 4, 2024, https://www.deepmotion.com/
Remember, this guide is intended to provide a starting point. As AI technologies continue to evolve, so too will the best practices for citing them. Stay informed about the latest developments and adapt your citation practices accordingly.