How to Cite AI-Generated Content: Complete Guide (APA, MLA, Chicago) 2025
Learn the proper way to cite ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI-generated content in academic papers. This comprehensive guide covers APA 7th Edition, MLA 9th Edition, and Chicago 17th Edition citation styles with real examples.
Introduction: Do You Need to Cite AI Content?
Yes, absolutely. If you use AI-generated text, ideas, or assistance in your academic work, you must cite it. Failing to disclose AI use can constitute academic dishonesty at most institutions.
This guide will show you exactly how to cite:
- ChatGPT (GPT-3.5, GPT-4, GPT-4o)
- Claude (Sonnet, Opus)
- Google Gemini (formerly Bard)
- Microsoft Copilot
- Other AI writing tools and thesis generators
When to Cite AI
- ✅ Direct quotes: Any text directly copied from AI output
- ✅ Paraphrased ideas: AI-generated concepts you rewrote in your own words
- ✅ Code or data: AI-generated code, calculations, or analyses
- ✅ Figures and tables: AI-created visualizations or data tables
- ⚠️ Brainstorming: Depends on your institution (check policy)
APA 7th Edition (2025 Update)
The American Psychological Association (APA) released official guidance on citing AI in April 2023, updated for ChatGPT and similar tools.
Basic Format for ChatGPT
(OpenAI, 2025)
Reference list entry:
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (GPT-4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/
Example: Quoting ChatGPT in Text
When asked to explain transformers, ChatGPT stated, "Transformers are a type of deep learning model introduced in 2017 that uses self-attention mechanisms to process sequential data" (OpenAI, 2025).
Example: Describing ChatGPT's Response
ChatGPT summarized the key advantages of transformer models over RNNs, including parallelization and better long-range dependency handling (OpenAI, 2025).
Important APA Guidelines
- Author: The company/organization (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google)
- Year: Year you accessed it (not the model's release year)
- Title: Name of the AI tool + model version in parentheses
- Type: [Large language model] or [AI software]
- URL: Link to the tool
APA Citations for Other AI Tools
Anthropic. (2025). Claude (Sonnet 4.5) [Large language model]. https://claude.ai/
Google Gemini:
Google. (2025). Gemini 2.5 [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com/
Microsoft Copilot:
Microsoft. (2025). Microsoft Copilot [AI assistant]. https://copilot.microsoft.com/
Including AI Conversations in Appendix (APA Recommendation)
APA recommends including the full AI conversation in an appendix or supplementary materials. This allows readers to see the exact prompts and responses.
"ChatGPT provided three potential research hypotheses (see Appendix A for the full conversation)" (OpenAI, 2025).
In Appendix A:
Include the complete text of your prompts and ChatGPT's responses.
MLA 9th Edition
The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides guidance for citing generative AI as a "self-contained work."
Basic Format for ChatGPT
("AI-Generated Response")
Works Cited entry:
"AI-Generated Response." ChatGPT, version GPT-4, OpenAI, 3 Nov. 2025, chat.openai.com.
Example: Quoting ChatGPT in MLA
According to ChatGPT, "Shakespeare's influence on modern literature extends beyond plot devices to include innovations in character psychology" ("Shakespeare's Influence").
MLA Format Breakdown
- Title: Brief description of the AI response in quotes (e.g., "Explanation of Climate Change")
- Container: ChatGPT (italicized)
- Version: The specific model (GPT-4, GPT-3.5, etc.)
- Publisher: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, etc.
- Access date: Day Month Year format
- URL: The tool's website
MLA Citations for Other AI Tools
"Analysis of Modernist Poetry." Claude, version Sonnet 4.5, Anthropic, 3 Nov. 2025, claude.ai.
Google Gemini:
"Summary of Roman History." Gemini, version 2.5, Google, 3 Nov. 2025, gemini.google.com.
Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition)
Chicago style treats AI-generated content similarly to personal communications or software.
Notes-Bibliography System
1. Text generated by ChatGPT (GPT-4), OpenAI, November 3, 2025, https://chat.openai.com.
Shortened footnote (subsequent references):
2. ChatGPT, GPT-4.
Bibliography entry:
OpenAI. ChatGPT (GPT-4). Large language model. November 3, 2025. https://chat.openai.com.
Author-Date System
(OpenAI 2025)
Reference list entry:
OpenAI. 2025. ChatGPT (GPT-4). Large language model. Accessed November 3, 2025. https://chat.openai.com.
Chicago Format for Other AI Tools
1. Text generated by Claude (Sonnet 4.5), Anthropic, November 3, 2025, https://claude.ai.
Google Gemini (Author-Date):
Google. 2025. Gemini 2.5. Large language model. Accessed November 3, 2025. https://gemini.google.com.
IEEE Citation Style
For engineering and technical fields using IEEE style:
[1]
Reference list:
[1] OpenAI, "ChatGPT (GPT-4)," Large language model, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://chat.openai.com. [Accessed: Nov. 3, 2025].
How to Cite Specific AI Use Cases
Citing AI-Generated Code
The following Python function was generated with assistance from ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2025):
def fibonacci(n):
if n <= 1: return n
return fibonacci(n-1) + fibonacci(n-2)Citing AI-Generated Tables or Figures
Figure 1. Comparison of Machine Learning Models
Note. Generated with assistance from ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2025).
Citing AI as a Research Assistant
ChatGPT (GPT-4; OpenAI, 2025) was used to generate initial research hypotheses, which were then refined through literature review and expert consultation.
Ethical Considerations
Disclosure Requirements
Many journals and institutions require a disclosure statement when AI is used. Example:
"ChatGPT (GPT-4; OpenAI, 2025) was used to assist with literature review organization and initial outline generation. All content was verified against primary sources, and final writing decisions were made by the authors."
What NOT to Do
- ❌ Don't list AI as a co-author: AI cannot meet authorship criteria (accountability, contribution)
- ❌ Don't hide AI use: Undisclosed AI assistance can be considered academic dishonesty
- ❌ Don't cite fabricated sources: Always verify AI-provided citations against original sources
- ❌ Don't rely solely on AI: You must add your own analysis and critical thinking
⚠️ Critical Warning: Citation Hallucination
Never cite papers that AI claims exist without verifying them first. Studies show ChatGPT and similar tools fabricate 40-70% of academic citations. Every AI-provided reference MUST be verified against Google Scholar, PubMed, or the original source.
Institution-Specific Policies
Before using AI in your academic work, check your institution's policy. Requirements vary widely:
Common Policy Categories
- Allowed with disclosure: Use permitted if properly cited (most common in 2025)
- Limited use: Only for brainstorming/outlining, not final content
- Prohibited: No AI use allowed in academic work
- Varies by assignment: Check with individual instructors
Where to Find Your Institution's Policy
- Academic integrity / honor code page
- Writing center guidelines
- Course syllabi
- Ask your thesis advisor or professor directly
Quick Reference: Citation Comparison
| Style | In-Text Citation | Reference Format |
|---|---|---|
| APA 7 | (OpenAI, 2025) | OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (GPT-4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/ |
| MLA 9 | ("Response Title") | "Response Title." ChatGPT, version GPT-4, OpenAI, 3 Nov. 2025, chat.openai.com. |
| Chicago | (OpenAI 2025) or [1] | OpenAI. 2025. ChatGPT (GPT-4). Large language model. https://chat.openai.com. |
| IEEE | [1] | [1] OpenAI, "ChatGPT (GPT-4)," 2025. [Online]. Available: https://chat.openai.com. |
Tools to Help Manage AI Citations
Citation Generators
- Zotero: Free citation manager with AI citation templates
- Mendeley: Supports custom citation types for AI tools
- EasyBib / Citation Machine: Online generators with AI citation options
Verification Tools
- Google Scholar: Verify AI-provided citations
- CrossRef: Check DOIs and publication metadata
- OpenDraft: Auto-verified citations from 200M+ papers (no hallucination)
FAQs
Q: Do I need to cite ChatGPT if I only used it for brainstorming?
A: It depends on your institution. Conservative approach: yes, disclose it in your methods or acknowledgments. Check your institution's policy.
Q: Can I list ChatGPT as a co-author?
A: No. Major publishers (Nature, Science, Elsevier) have explicitly stated that AI cannot be listed as an author because it cannot take accountability or fulfill authorship criteria.
Q: What if my institution doesn't allow AI use?
A: Don't use AI for that assignment. Violating academic integrity policies can result in failure or expulsion. When in doubt, ask your professor.
Q: How do I cite multiple AI tools used in one paper?
A: List each tool separately in your references. In text, cite the specific tool used for each section: "ChatGPT generated the initial outline (OpenAI, 2025), which was then refined using Claude (Anthropic, 2025)."
Q: What if the AI conversation is too long for an appendix?
A: Provide a summary in the appendix and note that the full conversation is available upon request. Some researchers host full transcripts on OSF or GitHub.
Conclusion
Properly citing AI-generated content is crucial for:
- Academic integrity: Transparent about your sources
- Reproducibility: Others can verify your work
- Intellectual honesty: Credit where credit is due
Key takeaways:
- Always cite AI assistance (quotes, paraphrases, or ideas)
- Follow your institution's AI policy
- Use the appropriate citation format (APA, MLA, Chicago, IEEE)
- Verify all AI-provided citations against original sources
- Disclose AI use in methods or acknowledgments
- Never list AI as a co-author
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About the Author: This guide was created by Federico De Ponte, developer of OpenDraft. Last Updated: November 3, 2025