Skip to Main Content
Santa Clara UniversityUniversity Library

Citation Guides for Engineers

Why is it Important?

Academic honesty starts with transparency. Generative AI systems are tools, not crutches and as they become common place in all aspects of life, scholars need to consistently communicate how and what they are using generative AI for in their work. 

Most of the main style guides now have information on how to properly cite generative AI systems, however, if a style does not have explicit information on how to cite the system, attribution will be your best option. 

Examples and Format for Citing Gen AI

NOTE: IEEE doesn’t yet offer official rules for AI-generated content, follow the format recommended for software or online tools, depending on how you used the tool.

Reference List:

[#] Name of Company or Organization, Name of Tool, Version (if known), Company Location, Accessed: Month Day, Year. [Online]. Available: URL

Example:

[1] OpenAI, ChatGPT [Online]. Available: https://chat.openai.com/. Accessed: Jul. 21, 2025.

In-Text Citation Example:
The information was generated using ChatGPT [1].

Best Practices Tips:

  • If you used a specific version (like GPT-4), you can include that: OpenAI, ChatGPT (GPT-4)...
  • Always include the access date, as content may change over time.
  • If the AI output contributed substantially to your work, consider also noting its role in a footnote or project methodology section for transparency.

NOTE:  Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.) doesn’t yet offer official rules for AI-generated content, follow the format recommended for software or personal communication, depending on how you used the tool.

Footnote/Endnote (for a specific response):

  1. OpenAI, ChatGPT, accessed July 21, 2025, https://chat.openai.com/.

Bibliography (optional if citing only in notes):

OpenAI. ChatGPT. Accessed July 21, 2025. https://chat.openai.com/.

If you’re quoting a specific AI-generated output:

Since AI doesn't fit cleanly into traditional authorship models, treat it like personal communication or unpublished material:

Footnote Example:

  1. ChatGPT, response to a prompt by the author, July 21, 2025.

Bibliography (optional):
Chicago style generally does not require a bibliography entry for personal communications like interviews or AI prompts unless critical to your research.

Best Practices Tips: 

  • Indicate who created the AI (e.g., OpenAI).
  • Specify the tool (e.g., ChatGPT, DALL·E, Claude).
  • Include date of interaction.
  • Include URL if relevant or if others need to understand the platform used.

Additional Resource:

Basic Citation for AI-Generated Content

In-Text Citation: (OpenAI, 2023)

Reference List Entry:
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/

Tip:

  • Use the date of the version or your access date if version is unknown.
  • Italicize the name of the tool.
  • Include a description in square brackets: [Large language model].

If You Quoted or Relied Heavily on ChatGPT

APA recommends describing the interaction in the text and including a reference list entry.

Example in your paper:

I used ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2023) to help brainstorm research topics. The model suggested areas such as sustainable architecture and urban climate design, which informed my early draft outline.

Additional Resource:

NOTE: ASCE doesn’t yet offer official rules for AI-generated content, follow the format recommended for software or online tools, depending on how you used the tool.

General Format:

Author. Year. Title or description. Publisher or organization, URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

Example Citation:

OpenAI. 2023. ChatGPT (Mar 14 version). OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/ (accessed July 21, 2025).

In-text Citation Example: (OpenAI 2023)

NOTE: You can also include a note in your methods or acknowledgments on how the generative AI system was used.

  • Example: ChatGPT (OpenAI 2023) was used to generate initial ideas and refine the wording of this section.

Best Practices Tips: 

  • Always disclose when AI tools contribute to your work.
  • Do not list ChatGPT as a co-author.
  • Maintain responsibility for the final content, including checking AI-generated material for accuracy.