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Guide to: AI in Scholarship

Citing AI

Citing AI

When it comes to artificial intelligence, it can be difficult to know when a citation is appropriate. The general rule of thumb, as in all cases of citation, is to identify when work is not your own creation. this includes:

  • Whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate into your own work any content (whether text, image, data, or other) that was created by AI. 
  • Acknowledge all functional uses of the tool (like editing your prose or translating words) in a note, your text, or another suitable location.

If you have any questions about citation in regards to AI, please feel free to seek out help from a librarian or clarify the expectations with your professor. We strongly encourage you to vet any information you get from an artificial intelligence tool, as they are prone to mistakes and misinformation in complex research settings.

There are currently two styles of citation that have guidance on how to cite the use of Artificial Intelligence: The American Psychological Association (APA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA). Chicago manual of Style has some guidance on citing AI in their formatting as well. You will find links and guidance for both styles below, along with more information about the ethics of citing AI. AI use in research and the crediting of AI sources is an ongoing conversation in academia, and we encourage you to always clarify both use and citation expectations and policies with your professor on any specific assignments.

Guidance on Chicago Style Formatting and AI 

Citing AI use in MLA Style

Citing AI in APA style

Further Reading on Citation of Artificial Intelligence