How Do I Cite AI?

Follow your required style guide and policy. Cite the specific output you used by describing what was generated and listing the tool, publisher, model/version when available, generation date, and a stable share URL when possible. Try CustomGPT with the 7-day free trial to document AI citations consistently.

TL;DR

Cite AI-generated content using your required style guide (APA, MLA, or Chicago) and your instructor/publisher policy. At minimum, record: tool name + company, model/version (if known), date generated, your prompt, and the exact output you used. If a public share link exists, include it; otherwise, cite the tool’s homepage and keep your prompt/output in an appendix or notes. Save your prompt and output now to simplify citations later.

What To Record Before You Cite AI

Record these fields once, then reuse them in any style:

• Tool + Company (e.g., ChatGPT — OpenAI; Copilot — Microsoft).
• Model/Version (If Shown or Known) (MLA recommends including it when possible).
• Date Generated (the day the output was created).
• Your Prompt (exact wording that produced the output you used).
• The Exact Output You Used (paste the excerpt into notes; attach full output if required).
• A Public Share Link (If Available). MLA prefers a stable shareable URL when the tool supports it. For ChatGPT share-link format, check: ChatGPT Shared Links FAQ.

How To Cite AI in MLA

MLA’s updated guidance:

• Do not treat the AI tool as the author.
• Describe what was generated (often using the prompt language) as the “Title of Source.”
• Use the AI tool as the container, include model/version, publisher/company, date, and stable share link if available.

MLA Works Cited Template

“[Prompt or Description of What You Asked]” prompt. [Tool Name], model [Model/Version], [Company], [Day Month Year], [Public Share URL if available; otherwise tool homepage URL].

MLA In-Text Citation

Use shortened prompt words in parentheses, e.g.: (“Describe the theme”).

Important MLA Note: If AI Provides Sources, Prefer The Original Sources

If the tool links to sources, click through, verify, and cite those sources directly rather than citing the AI summary.

How To Cite AI in Chicago

Chicago’s FAQ says you must credit AI-generated text when you use it, usually by:

• a simple acknowledgment in your text, or
• a numbered footnote/endnote for more formal work.

It also says: do not put AI output in a bibliography/reference list unless you provide a publicly available link to the content. (If you have an official share link—such as a ChatGPT share URL—you can treat that as the “publicly available link” pathway.)

Chicago Note Template

1. Text generated by [Tool Name], [Company], [Month Day, Year], [Public Share URL if available; otherwise tool homepage URL].

If your prompt is not already described in your text, Chicago allows adding it:

1. [Tool Name], response to “[Prompt],” [Company], [Month Day, Year], [Public Share URL if available].

How To Cite AI in APA

APA guidance for citing large language model tools is commonly presented as treating the tool as software by an organization, including version/date and a bracketed description like [Large language model], plus a URL. (Canonical APA blog pages are identified below; they are not directly readable from this environment due to bot protection, so verify your exact formatting against APA before publishing.)

APA Reference Template

[Organization]. ([Year]). [Tool Name] ([Version]) [Large language model]. [URL]

APA In-Text Template

• Parenthetical: (Organization, Year)
• Narrative: Organization (Year)

APA Practical Tip

If readers cannot retrieve the exact chat, many instructors/journals expect you to describe your AI use (and sometimes include the prompt + output in an appendix or supplement). Confirm your local policy.

Example: One Prompt, Three Citation Styles

Prompt used: “Explain in 2 sentences when I should cite AI-generated text in a student paper.” AI output used (excerpt): “You should cite AI-generated text when you quote or paraphrase it. If you only used AI to brainstorm, follow your instructor’s policy on acknowledgment.”

MLA

“Explain in 2 sentences …” prompt. ChatGPT, model [model/version], OpenAI, [Day Month Year], .

Chicago

Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, [Month Day, Year], <public share URL if available; otherwise tool homepage>.

APA

Reference: OpenAI. ([Year]). ChatGPT ([Version]) [Large language model]. [URL] In-text: (OpenAI, [Year]) Replace bracketed fields with what you actually used (tool/version/date/link).

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Not saving the prompt/output (you can’t reconstruct it later).
• Citing AI when you should cite the underlying source (especially if the AI lists sources).
• Using non-public links as if they were retrievable (Chicago cares about public accessibility).
• Skipping policy checks (many syllabi/journals have stricter rules than style guides).

How To Do It With CustomGPT

If your institution allows it, you can create a helper agent that answers “How do I cite AI?” using only approved guidance and shows citations:

1. Build an agent from approved style-guide or library pages (URL/sitemap).
2. Add/maintain sources (upload PDFs, manage website sources).
3. Turn on citations and choose display style (inline vs end-of-answer).
4. Enable read-only conversation sharing for “here’s the exact answer + sources.”
5. Share or embed the agent for students/staff.

Conclusion

To cite AI, capture the prompt, the exact output used, the tool/model, the date, and any share URL, then format the reference in MLA, APA, or Chicago. Next step: CustomGPT.ai centralizes rules with a 7-day free trial.

FAQ

Do I Have To Cite AI If I Only Used It To Brainstorm?

Usually you cite AI when you quote or closely paraphrase its output. If you only used it for idea generation, many instructors prefer an acknowledgment rather than a formal citation—but policies vary widely. When in doubt, disclose your use briefly and keep your prompt/output in your notes in case you’re asked to document it.

What If My AI Conversation Isn’t Publicly Shareable?

Use the tool’s homepage URL and include the prompt + relevant output in an appendix, footnote, or your private notes (depending on your rules). MLA prefers a stable share URL when available, but allows a general tool URL when it isn’t. Chicago also emphasizes whether readers can actually access the cited content.

Can I Put AI Output In My Bibliography/References?

In Chicago, not unless you provide a publicly available link to the generated content. Otherwise, treat it like personal communication and keep the credit in text/notes. In MLA, you typically include a Works Cited entry and prefer a stable share link when supported. Always follow local policy if it overrides.

How Does This Work If I’m Using CustomGPT For Citation Help?

You can limit an agent to only approved sources (e.g., MLA/Chicago pages your school allows) and enable citations so it shows where each rule came from. Use conversation sharing to give staff/students a read-only “answer + sources” transcript. Reference the setup steps in the CustomGPT docs for website agents, source management, citations, and sharing.

Can I Cite An AI-Generated Image?

Yes, at least in MLA there is explicit guidance for citing AI-generated visuals via captions or Works Cited, including prompt description, tool, version, date, and share link when available. If you’re using APA or Chicago, confirm your program’s preferred treatment for generated images and include creation details and accessibility context.