Artificial Intelligence (AI) Library Guide
Citing Generative AI
As generative AI becomes more integrated into academic, creative, and professional work, it’s important to use it responsibly and acknowledge its contributions. Whether AI is used for writing, brainstorming, translation, data analysis, or editing, transparency is essential.
Although citation standards for AI-generated content are still developing, many academic style guides have begun releasing preliminary guidance. Always consult your professor or your institution’s academic integrity policies before using AI in coursework or research.
Based on the Recommendations of the Cyprus University of Technology on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Education and Research there are a few core principles that apply across all citation styles:
- Always cite or acknowledge AI-generated content when you include it in your work, whether you are quoting, paraphrasing, or using AI for support tasks like editing or coding. Be transparent about your use of AI tools. If citation guidelines for a specific use case are unclear, a brief explanatory note in your text can help clarify how you used the AI tool.
- Do not cite sources mentioned by AI tools without verifying them yourself. AI can sometimes generate fabricated references or inaccurately represent real sources. It is essential to critically assess AI outputs to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and appropriateness of the material before including it in your work.
- Follow all course-specific AI guidelines, as unauthorized or excessive use without instructor approval may result in academic misconduct. Remember, AI is not a substitute for learning or critical thinking.
- Use AI ethically by avoiding the fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation of information, and by adhering to relevant institutional ethical guidelines.
- Maintain academic integrity by properly attributing AI-generated work and recognizing that the final content and its integrity remain the author’s responsibility, regardless of AI involvement.
At its core, citing AI-generated content serves the same purpose as any other citation: to give proper credit and to allow others to trace the sources or methods that informed your work. As the use of generative AI continues to grow, staying informed and upholding academic integrity remain essential.
Citing AI-generated text
Retrieving Text from Generative AI Tools
Some citation styles recommend preserving or retrieving text generated by AI tools to ensure accurate referencing. The process for doing so can vary depending on the specific tool being used.
The growing use of generative AI tools, has introduced new considerations for academic writing and research. While these tools can support content generation, they do not constitute traditional sources. Users should always review the CUT Recommendations applications to ensure responsible data handling.
As such, proper citation is essential to maintain academic integrity and ensure transparency in the use of AI-assisted text.
Official Guidelines on Referencing AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Text
As of April 7, 2023, the American Psychological Association (APA) published an official blog post outlining how to cite text produced by generative AI tools, with a particular focus on ChatGPT.
APA’s Official Approach?
- A key distinction from APA’s previous, unofficial interim guidance—communicated through email exchanges with educators—is its frequent recommendation to cite AI-generated or AI-assisted content as personal communication.
- In its official guidance, the APA clarifies that personal communication applies exclusively to interactions between human individuals. Consequently, AI-generated text should be cited following the guidelines for referencing software, as outlined in Section 10.10 of the APA Publication Manual. This approach had previously been suggested only in instances where AI-generated or assisted content was publicly retrievable.
In-Text Citation
Example:
Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2025)
Narrative citation: OpenAI (2025)
Reference List
Example:
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4o version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
Official Guidelines on Referencing AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Text
As of March 21, 2023, there is no official governing body for the Harvard referencing style, resulting in various local adaptations. Consequently, there is no standardized method for citing AI tools. At present, citing AI-generated content as personal communication aligns with current academic practice, while formal citation standards continue to evolve.
General guidance:
- Reference the content within the text, either paraphrased or in parentheses.
- In-text citation is sufficient; no entry is required in the reference list.
- Including the prompt used to generate the content is considered good academic practice.
In-Text Citation
For unpublished materials/ Private Communication format:
Examples:
Parenthetical citation: (RN Ayers 1991, pers. comm., 2 July).
Narrative citation: MK Larsen (1983, pers. comm., 1 May) said…
Reference List
Do not include a reference list entry.
Official Guidelines on Referencing AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Text
As of June 2023, IEEE does not support citing AI-generated text in publications or including it in reference lists. Current guidance recommends treating AI-generated text as a form of private communication or non-recoverable material which should not be assigned a citation number.
According to IEEE Submission and Peer Review Policies, any use of AI-generated content (including text, images, figures, or code) in a submission must be disclosed in the Acknowledgments section. The AI system used should be named, and the specific sections influenced must be identified, along with a brief explanation of how the AI contributed.
The in-text citations are formatted as follows for unpublished materials/ Private Communication format:
- Private communications typically do not provide recoverable data; they should be cited in-text only
- The citation should include the communicator’s initials and surname. It should also specify the date of the communication as precisely as possible.
In-text Citation
Example:
Modern research improves research outcomes (OpenAI's ChatGPT, private communication, 10 April 2024).
Reference List
Do not include a reference list entry.
Official Guidelines on Referencing AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Text
As of March 17, 2023, the MLA has issued guidance on citing generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL·E. This guidance aligns with MLA’s core-element citation approach designed to adapt to emerging technologies.
MLA’s Official Approach?
- MLA recommends citing generative AI tools when incorporating AI-generated or AI-assisted content into one’s work.
- The use of such tools should be documented in a note or another appropriate section of the work.
- Writers are advised to evaluate and verify any secondary sources referenced by the AI.
- Importantly, generative AI tools should not be credited as authors, as authorship is reserved for individuals.
In-Text Citation
Example:
"Causes of climate change"
Works Cited Entry
Examples:
“Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
Paraphrasing Text: "Summarize the causes of the French Revolution." ChatGPT, June 24 version, 15 July 2025, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
Quoting Text: "Explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis in 150 words." ChatGPT, June 24 version, 14 July 2025, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
Quoting Creative Textual Works: "Write a Shakespearean sonnet about the moon." ChatGPT, June 24 version, 13 July 2025, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
Official Guidelines on Referencing AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Text
ASCE is a member of COPE, the Committee on Publication Ethics . As such, ASCE follows COPE Guidelines on artificial intelligence (AI) and authorship. Our policy is that AI software cannot be listed as an author on a paper.
ASCE’s Official Approach?
ChatGPT and similar software is not human, and for this reason cannot independently design studies, create and critique methodologies, interpret data, or be held responsible for the outcomes and implications of the study in question. For this reason, similar software’s should be treated as a tool, not an author. However, while authorship guidelines exist, there are currently no official or universally accepted standards for citing generative AI, making transparency and disclosure essential.
For more information on COPE’s guidance on AI and authorship, please visit the COPE website.
In-Text Citation
For unpublished materials/ Private Communication format:
Examples:
Parenthetical citation: (John Smith, personal communication, May 16, 1983)
Parenthetical citation: (J. Smith, unpublished internal report, February 2003)
Reference List
Do not include a reference list entry.
Citing AI-generated images
Retrievability of AI-Generated Images
In line with the Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines for citing AI-generated visual content, this section outlines how such materials can be published and made accessible for citation purposes.
Ensuring Image Retrievability
As of April 4, 2023, several AI image generation tools allow users to publish generated images via unique, retrievable URLs:
- MidJourney
Produces publicly accessible URLs for each image.
Example: https://www.midjourney.com/home?callbackUrl=%2Fapp%2F - DALL·E 2 (OpenAI)
By default, images are private, but users may choose to publish them, generating a public URL.
Example: https://openai.com/index/dall-e-2/
Archiving for Long-Term Access
Given the uncertainty of long-term access to AI-generated content, it is advisable to preserve published images using web archiving services such as the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine free service.
Official Guidelines on referencing A.I.-Generated Visuals
As of April 7, 2023, blog post , the APA clarified that visuals created with A.I. tools should be cited similarly to A.I.-generated text.
The APA Style guide ( APA Style - Attributing clip art and stock images) suggests that the most relevant existing model for citing AI-generated images may be the guidelines for attributing clip art and stock images. As with these visual formats, AI-generated content must also be appropriately cited. When incorporating AI-generated images or videos into academic work:
- Briefly describe the process used to generate the visual content within the body of the text.
- Cite the author (typically the AI tool or company), the date, a descriptive title, and the source.
- Consult with your instructor or editor to determine whether such visuals should be presented as figures, included in appendices, or provided as supplementary material.
Format for AI-generated images:
Figure X
Image title
Note. Description (e.g. Image generated using XXX prompt, by XXX tool)
Example:
Figure 1
Photo-realistic image of a snowy mountain peak with a lone climber reaching the summit
Note. Image generated using DALL·E 3 from the prompt: Photo-realistic image of a snowy mountain peak with a lone climber reaching the summit
For reference format of citing figures or images in general, you may also refer to APA guidelines on citing Clip Art or Stock Image References, Artwork references and Sample figures.
Examples:
In-text citation:
Figure 1 illustrates the image of a snowy mountain peak with a lone climber reaching the summit
Reference list:
Stability AI. (2024). Stable Diffusion XL [AI image generation model]. https://poe.com/StableDiffusionXL
Guidelines on referencing A.I.-Generated Visuals
When including an AI-generated image within the body of your work, it is important to provide sufficient information to appropriately acknowledge the source and to include full citation details in the reference list.
Format for AI-generated images:
Example:
Figure 1: Image generated using DALL·E 3 from the prompt: “Phoenix in the style of Gustav Klimt”
Source: Adapted from DALL-E (2025)
Example:
In-text citation:
Figure 1 illustrates the image of a Phoenix in the style of Gustav Klimt
Reference List
Do not include a reference list entry.
Guidelines on referencing A.I.-Generated Visuals
Include the image in your work, accompanied by a caption indicating that it was generated using an AI tool and specifying the prompt employed in its creation.
Format for AI-generated images:
Example:
Fig 1. Image generated using DALL·E 3 from the prompt: a typical engineer.
Example:
In-text citation:
Figure 1 illustrates the image of a typical engineer [1]
Reference List
Do not include a reference list entry.
Guidelines for citing AI-generated images reprinted from published sources
In accordance with IEEE style guidelines, AI-generated images reproduced from a published source should be referenced by citing the original source. This requires the use of a numbered in-text citation that corresponds to the appropriate entry in the reference list. When such an image is included in your work, relevant information and the citation number should also be provided in the figure caption.
Guidelines on referencing A.I.-Generated Visuals
According to Section 1.7 of the MLA Handbook, it is important to properly caption an AI-generated image used in your project.
MLA recommends beginning with a description based on the prompt, followed by the name of the AI tool used, its version, the provider, and the date of creation. If the tool offers a publishing feature that generates a unique URL for the image, that specific link should be included. If such a feature is unavailable, the general URL of the tool should be provided instead.
Format for AI-generated images:
Example:
Fig.1. “Best night view in Singapore, oil painting” prompt, DALL·E , version 3, OpenAI, 28 Jul.2025, https://www.bing.com/images/create/best-night-view-in-singapore/1-68886592198948e4894369b3ae5b39db?FORM=GENCRE''
If an AI-generated image’s caption includes full bibliographic information and the image is not discussed elsewhere in your paper, you do not need to list it in the Works Cited.
Note: According to section 1.7 of the MLA Handbook, the same elements—prompt, name and version of the AI tool, date of creation, and either a direct image URL or a general tool URL—may be used in a works-cited list entry if that format is preferred over including the full citation in the image caption.
Coming soon.