How to Cite AI Tools

📘 MLA Guide: Citing AI‑Generated Content

How to cite AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL‑E using MLA Style

📌 1. When to Cite

Cite any time you paraphrase, quote, or use ideas or images generated by a generative AI tool. Also disclose if you used the tool functionally (e.g. editing, translating) even if not quoting directly. Source

📝 2. AI Use Disclosure (Recommended)

You may add a sentence like this in your paper or as a footnote:

I used ChatGPT to help refine the tone of my prose or brainstorm ideas; all AI-generated content was reviewed and verified by me.

✏️ 3. In-Text Citation Format

Use the first few words of your prompt or description in parentheses. No author name or date is required.

📚 4. Works Cited Entry Format

Template:

Description of work generated. AI tool name, Version (if known), Company/Developer, Date generated (day Mon. year), URL.
  

Examples:

• Text generation:
  "Describe the symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby" prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. 2023 version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
• AI image:
  "Pointillist painting of a sheep in a sunny field of blue flowers" prompt. DALL‑E, version 2, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, labs.openai.com.

📋 5. Summary Table

⚠️ 6. Best Practices

• Verify all AI output. Don't cite fabricated information. Seek primary sources when possible.
• Truncate prompts. Use a short, descriptive version in the citation.
• Multiple prompts? Combine or cite individually as needed.
• Alphabetize in Works Cited using the first word of the prompt description.