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Generative AI: ChatGPT and Beyond

A guide to the various artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that use deep learning techniques and massively large data sets to understand, summarize, generate and predict new content.

APA Citations

To cite the AI model itself, treat the model as a software as outlined in Section 10.10 of the Publication Manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, Chapter 10).

Basic format:

Author/Developer. (Year). Model name (Version) [Large language model]. URL

Example:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (May 24 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat/

  • Author. APA recommends citing the creator (i.e., author/developer) of the model as the author (note: this is not the case for all citation styles, e.g., MLA).
  • (Publication Date). Date of content creation - only need to include year. 2023.
  • Name of the Model. The name of the model serves as the title and is italicized in your reference. ChatGPT.
  • (Version specification). Identify the version you used in the format the author or publisher provides, which may be a numbering system (e.g., Version 2.0) or other methods. (May 24 version).
  • [Additional description to provide context for the reader]. Bracketed text providing additional context is often included in APA citations for less common sources. For text-based generative AI, APA recommends providing the descriptor “Large language model” or "Large multimodal model" in square brackets. Pending further recommendations, use your best discretion based on how the creators/publishers describe the model you're citing. [Large language model].
  • URL. When the publisher name and the author name are the same, do not repeat the publisher name in the source element of the reference, and move directly to the most direct URL available to access the model. https://chat.openai.com/chat/

The APA Style team has likened citing the output from an AI model to sharing an algorithm's output. It must be noted that the output was generated by a Large Language Model (LLM) and the model identified.
In-text citation example, direct quotation:

When prompted with the question "is the beaver a destructive animal?", the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that "the influence of beavers on their environment can be both constructive and destructive, contingent on the particular context" (OpenAI, 2023).

In-text citation example, paraphrased:

ChatGPT-generated text indicated that the categorization of beavers as 'destructive' or 'constructive' is multifaceted and not simply binary (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Note: ChatGPT does not currently cite any sources unless specifically requested in your prompt. Even if references are requested, it is known to make up, or "hallucinate" sources that do not exist. Other AI models such as Bing AI Chat do cite sources, but it is important to assess the quality and reliability of each one individually. For example, when prompted with "Is the beaver a destructive animal?", Bing AI chat generated a response that cites a source promoting pest control practices and exterminators, which should be recognized as likely representing a biased or unbalanced perspective (prompt output example, highlighted in blue):

Beavers are known to be one of the most destructive animals in the world1. They build dams on waterways which prevents water from flowing downstream and causes problems for the ecosystem because it affects other living things too1. Beavers can also be very destructive to property1. However, beavers are also paradoxical creatures; they create and destroy at the same time. Beaver dams flood valuable timber and beavers cut down thousands of trees around their dams. However, the flooding leads to increased fertility in the land, which is favorable to new plant and animal life2.

Learn more:

1. pestkill.org2. courses.hamilton.edu3. faunafacts.com

General format, references list:

Author/Developer. (Year). Model name (version) [Large language model].URL

References list example:
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (May 24 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat/

MLA Citations

se the MLA template of core elements and its formatting / style guidelines to construct citations for the Works Cited list

AI-generated Text

“Identify the main themes in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy” prompt. ChatGPT, 24 May version, OpenAI, 12 June 2023, https://chat.openai.com/share/a80e77ac-25d4-4465-be8e-ed2143027f78.

  • Author.  MLA does not recommend treating AI tools as authors
  • Title of Source. Description of content created with AI tool within quotes, followed by the word prompt - “Identify the main themes in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy” prompt.
  • Title of Container, Name of AI tool in italics - ChatGPT,
  • Contributor,
  • Version, Specific version of AI tool - 24 May version,
  • Number,
  • Publisher, Organization/Developer of AI tool - OpenAI,
  • Publication Date, Date content was generated, Day Month Year - 12 June 2023,
  • Location. Unique URL if content shareable or general URL of AI tool,  https:// protocol can be omitted or included - https://chat.openai.com/share/a80e77ac-25d4-4465-be8e-ed2143027f78.

Chicago

Chicago states that it is not necessary to cite generative AI tools in a bibliography or reference list.

AI-generated Text

If you are required or would like to include generative AI citations in your bibliography or reference list, consider citing ChatGPT and similar AI tools like a personal communication such as an email, phone, or text conversation (see CMOS 14.214).

Example:

ChatGPT. Response to “Tell me how to fix a flat bicycle tire.” July 21, 2023. OpenAI. https://chat.openai.com/share/b139f195-93eb-447b-bc6d-2440a541ea71.

  • Author. Name of AI tool - ChatGPT.
  • Prompt (Title). Response to “Text prompt in quotes.” - Response to "Tell me how to fix a flat bicycle tire."
  • Date. Date content was generated, Month Day, Year - July 21, 2023.
  • Publisher/Sponsor. Organization/Developer of AI tool - OpenAI.
  • URL. Optional. Not considered an essential element of the citation, particularly when AI-generated content is not accessible (i.e., requires personal login or subscription). If included, use unique URL for shareable content or a general URL for inaccessible content - https://chat.openai.com/share/b139f195-93eb-447b-bc6d-2440a541ea71.

If you’ve edited AI-generated text, you should acknowledge this in your text or at the end of the note (e.g. Edited for style and content)

Footnote or Endnote

Examples:

1. Text generated by ChatGPT, July 5, 2023, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

  • Number. Footnote or endnote number based on its sequence in the body of your text - 1.
  • Author, Name of AI tool - ChatGPT,
  • Date, Date content was generated, Month Day, Year - July 5, 2023,
  • Publisher/Sponsor, Organization/Developer of AI tool - OpenAI,
  • URL. Optional. Not considered an essential element of the citation, particularly when AI-generated content is not accessible (i.e., requires personal login or subscription). If included, use unique URL for shareable content or a general URL for inaccessible content - https://chat.openai.com/chat.

If the prompt hasn’t been included in the text, it can be included in the note as follows:

2. ChatGPT, response to “Tell me how to fix a flat bicycle tire,” July 21, 2023, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/share/b139f195-93eb-447b-bc6d-2440a541ea71.

  • Number. Footnote or endnote number based on its sequence in the body of your text - 2.
  • Author, Name of AI tool - ChatGPT,
  • Prompt (Title), response to “Text prompt in quotes,” - response to "Tell me how to fix a flat bicycle tire,"
  • Date, Date content was generated, Month Day, Year - July 21, 2023,
  • Publisher/Sponsor, Organization/Developer of AI tool - OpenAI,
  • URL. Optional. Not considered an essential element of the citation, particularly when AI-generated content is not accessible (i.e., requires personal login or subscription). If included, use unique URL for shareable content or a general URL for inaccessible content - https://chat.openai.com/share/b139f195-93eb-447b-bc6d-2440a541ea71.

If you’ve edited AI-generated text, you should acknowledge this in your text or at the end of the note (e.g., edited for style and content).

Shortened Footnote or Endnote

If the same reference is used again, the shortened form of the note should be used.

Example:

3. ChatGPT, response to “Fix a flat bicycle tire,” World Wide Web.

  • Number. Footnote or endnote number based on its sequence in the body of your text - 3.
  • Author, Name of AI tool -  ChatGPT,
  • Prompt (Title), response to "Text prompt in quotes," - response to "Fix a flat bicycle tire,"
  • Medium. - World Wide Web.
Author-Date Style

If you’re using author-date style instead of notes, any information not provided in the text can be placed in a parenthetical text reference (see CMOS 15.53)

Examples:

(ChatGPT, June 8, 2023).

(OpenAI's ChatGPT, response to prompt from author, February 22, 2023)

  • Author, Name of AI tool -  ChatGPT,
  • Prompt (Title), response to "Text prompt in quotes,"
  • Date, Date content was generated, Month Day, Year