APA Citations for Generative AI

This guide will provide you with the following information:

• Citing vs Attributing generative AI
• Basic APA citation format for generative AI
• Basic APA in text citation format for generative AI
• Basic APA format appendix expectations for generative AI responses and prompts

When to Cite Generative AI

Generative AI can be both a tool and a source. How you use it determines if you need to cite it or attribute it.

What is attribution?

• Gives credit to creator or source of the information and provides information on how the source was used
• Informal and used for open access work and/or institution specific work
• Example: Generative AI use acknowledgement

When do you attribute Generative AI?

• Using it as a tool in research (finding sources, exploring general themes, expanding search terms, etc.)
• Utilizing for ideation or editing
• Acknowledgement of use

What is a citation?

• Provides the location and a detailed description of a source
• Required in academic work and follows a preset format
• Example: APA citation style

When do you cite Generative AI?

• Using it as a source for your arugment, research, or project
• AI use is in some way intregal to the project or research
• Using the generated information to defend a point or to build upon in your research

Citing Generative AI with APA

APA Style Guide created a How to Cite ChatGPT blog post discussing the best practices for citing generative AI using APA.

In Text Citations

(Company/Creator, Year Accessed)

Narrative In Text Citation

Company/Creator (Year Accessed)

References Basic Format

Company/Creator of GAI. (Year Accessed). Title of the model (Month Day version) [large language model]. URL

Appendix

Utilize the appendix to display the full transcript from the used generative AI software.

Example of Citing Copilot

Copilot is a generative AI software from Microsoft. Here are examples of how to cite information from this software.

In Text Citations

(Microsoft, 2024)

Narrative In Text Citation

Microsoft (2024)

References Basic Format

Microsoft. (2024). Copilot (March 16 version) [large language model]. https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat

Appendix

Provide screenshots or text of the full transcript in the appendix of your paper. Utilize APA Style Guide for guidance on the format of an appendix.