Research Guides: Artificial Intelligence (A.I. Resources): Citing AI

Citing AI
Don't Use AI to Cite Things

Citing ChatGPT

Content generated by AI is nonrecoverable; it cannot be retrieved or linked to later, therefore it must be cited differently as shown below. The examples below are how to cite ChatGPT in the citation styles of APA, Chicago, and MLA.

APA Style
In-text: (Open AI, 2025)
Reference list: OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
Chicago Manual of Style
In-text: (ChatGPT, March 7, 2025).
Reference list: not needed because it cites only in-text.
MLA Style
In-text: (paraphrased from ChatGPT) or (generated by ChatGPT).
Works Cited list: "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. 2025, chat.openai.com/chat

Generating Citations

AI often provides incorrect citation information. Because AI is pattern-based, it merely recognizes elements that are needed for a complete citation. However, it will make things up when information is missing. This is known as hallucinating and is very common. It also places citation elements in wrong spots, so sometimes you spend more correcting the AI errors than taking the time to do things yourself. Below are suggestions.

Use Willamette's citation pages.
Ask a librarian for help.
Use our printed citation manuals in our reference collection--ask at the circulation desk where.
Use Zotero or Google Scholar's citation function.
Use the library catalog or databases citation function.

There are so many ways to easily and correctly cite things.

The bottom line-- don't rely on an error prone tool.

Artificial Intelligence (A.I. Resources)

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