Currently, most citation styles do not provide specific guidelines for referencing ChatGPT or other AI tools. However, there are some available recommendations from a few citation styles. Here’s what they suggest:
The American Psychological Association (APA) has provided guidelines on how to cite text generated by AI tools like ChatGPT in research or assignments. AI-generated text is considered the output of an algorithm and should be credited accordingly with a reference list entry and an in-text citation for the algorithm's author.
Note: In APA Style, the author is defined as the entity “responsible for a work.” Therefore, the AI company—not the AI tool itself—is considered the author.
Citing AI generated chat/text
|
In-text citation |
| (AI Company Name, Year) or AI Company Name (Year) |
| (Perplexity AI, 2025) or Perplexity AI (2025) |
|
Reference list |
| AI Company Name. (year, month day). Title of Chat [Description]. Name of Tool. URL of the Chat |
| Perplexity AI. (2025, September 23). Generative AI development in Hong Kong [Generative AI chat]. Perplexity. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/generative-ai-development-in-h-ExCiWBJyQAOmw0O5R5t8ig |
Citing AI tools generally
|
In-text citation |
| (AI Company Name, Year) or AI Company Name (Year) |
| (OpenAI, 2025) or OpenAI (2025) |
|
Reference list |
| AI Company Name. (Year). Name of tool [Description]. URL |
| OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/ |
The Modern Language Association (MLA) has adapted to the rise of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for citation purposes. Whenever you use content created by a generative AI tool (whether it's text, images, data, or other forms) in your own work, it should be cited. This includes paraphrasing, quoting, or incorporating the AI-generated content. Any functional use of the tool, such as editing your prose or translating words, should be acknowledged in a note, within your text, or at another appropriate place. Please note that it is not recommended to treat an AI tool as an author under MLA guidelines which base on policies set by various publishers.
|
In-text citation |
| ("Shortened description of prompt") |
| ("Examples of AI hallucination in AI tools ") |
|
Cited Works List |
| "Description of prompt" prompt. Name of tool, version name*, Publisher, Date content was generated, URL. |
| "Examples of AI hallucination in AI tools in South East Asia countries and United States" prompt. ChatGPT, 14 Mar version, OpenAI, 20 Nov. 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat |
| *If version name of the tool is available. |
References:
How do I cite generative AI in MLA style?
Credit should be given for content generated by AI tools, such as text from ChatGPT. This can be achieved by acknowledging the AI tool within your text. ChatGPT is considered as "author", while its developer, "OpenAI" is regarded as the "publisher" or "sponsor". The date when the text was generated should also be included. However, the URL of the ChatGPT tool is not essential for citation, as the cited content may not be accessible via the provided URL.
In Chicago style, you should cite AI-generated content in your work using a note or parenthetical citation. However, unless there is a publicly accessible link, it is recommended not to include this source in your bibliography or reference list.
|
Author-date Style - Parenthetical citation |
|
(Name of Tool, Date) |
|
(ChatGPT, March 20, 2023) |
|
Notes |
|
1. Content generated by Name of tool, Publisher, Date content was generated, URL |
|
1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 7, 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat |
|
OR |
|
1. Name of tool, prompt response, Publisher, Date content was generated. |
|
1. ChatGPT, response to "Examples of AI hallucination in AI tools," OpenAI, November 20, 2023. |