Skip to Main Content
Santa Clara UniversityUniversity Library

Generative AI

Develop an understanding of ChatGPT and other generative AIs and how it impact your studies here at Santa Clara University

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

General Citation Format (Works Cited):

“Prompt text.” Name of AI Tool, version (if known), Company, Date of interaction, URL.

Example:

“Explain how wind turbines generate electricity.” ChatGPT, Mar. 14 version, OpenAI, 21 July 2025, https://chat.openai.com/.

In-Text Citation: (ChatGPT)

  • Example of in-text paraphrasing citing: According to ChatGPT, wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity...

Best Practices Tips: 

  • Put the exact prompt (or a short summary of it) in quotation marks.
  • Italicize the name of the tool (e.g., ChatGPT).
  • Include the version and date accessed, if known.
  • MLA treats AI-generated text like content from a non-human author—it must be cited but should not be treated as a traditional source of authority.

Additional Resources:

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Since AI doesn't fit cleanly into traditional authorship models, treat it like personal communication or unpublished material: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