Being Transparent with AI Usage

Be Transparent

When incorporating AI-generated content in your work, always credit the AI tool used. Ask the AI to provide references so you can verify and credit the original sources whenever possible. Never represent AI-generated content as your original work.

Why Cite AI?

Citing AI tools and their outputs maintains academic integrity and acknowledges the use of these resources in your work. Proper citation ensures transparency and gives credit where it is due, similar to citing traditional sources.

Expert Tip: Avoid using AI directly for information. Treat AI as you would Wikipedia: use it to get an idea of what information you need but ask the AI for its sources. Then, look up those sources yourself. Also, avoid using AI to create reference pages or add references to your work, as AI often generates fake or incorrect sources.

Citation Formats

The following citation formats may be used to cite AI tools (e.g., for formatting, idea generation). Students should consult with their faculty to determine the specified format for each course.

MLA Format:

Format: “What you used for a prompt” prompt. AI Model, AI Model Version, Company that created the AI, The date you created the prompt, URL of the tool.

Example: “Example of an MLA citation” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, 30 Jun. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.

Notes: Click here for more information on MLA citations.

APA Format:

Format: Author. (Year). Title of the AI tool or model (Date Accessed Version). Type of AI used. URL.

Example: OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT-4 (Mar 14 version). [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Notes: APA asks that you describe how you used the AI in your Method section or Introduction. Click here for additional APA citation details.

Chicago Format:

Example(If prompt is in your paper): Author. Company that created the AI. Date accessed. URL.

Example: Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 7, 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

Note: Click here for additional Chicago Format details.

In-Text Citations

MLA: (OpenAI)
APA: (OpenAI, 2023)
Chicago: (ChatGPT, March 7, 2023)

Example Usage: If you used AI to generate a section of your paper, include a citation like this: "According to ChatGPT-4, a model developed by OpenAI, AI can simulate human intelligence by performing tasks such as understanding natural language and recognizing patterns (OpenAI, 2023)."

Practical Tips for Transparency

Credit the AI Tool: Always mention the AI tool you used in your work.

Verify Information: Ask the AI to provide references and verify/input these sources independently.

Avoid Plagiarism: Never present AI-generated content as your original work without proper citation.

Consult Guidelines: Follow the specific citation format required by your course or institution.
Created with assistance from ChatGPT. (Used to generate ideas and editing)
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT-4o (June 2024 version). [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat