Skip to Main Content

Referencing

Using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in your studies

  • In each unit you are taking, read the assessment instructions/guidelines to understand what artificial intelligence (AI) tools you can and cannot use. Check with your lecturer or tutor if you are not sure.
  • Acknowledge how you have used generative AI in your assessments. See below for guidelines on how to do this.
  • Generative AI tools may have drawbacks (such as providing inaccurate information, bias, use of your personal data). Investigate each tool you plan to use to understand potential risks. Find some suggestions for evaluating AI tools at the bottom of the page.
  • Check regularly for updates and advice from Macquarie University on using generative (AI) tools for your studies.

Last updated 23 June 2023

How to reference generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Interim advice from the Editors of the AGLC at the University of Melbourne 

Follow rule 7.12 which deals with Written Correspondence. 

Example

Prompt and response using ChatGPT
In-text citation

Citation Number

Social media has become an essential and powerful tool for marketing, enabling companies to “reach new audiences and create a loyal following.”1
Footnote

Number Output from [program], [creator] to [recipient], [full date]. Discursive text is included in the footnote to provide information about the prompts used to generate the output.

1 Output from ChatGPT, OpenAI to SE, 20th March 2023. The output was generated in response to the prompt, ‘Write 1000 words on the benefits of social medial for marketing’: see below Appendix A.
Reference list

Written Correspondence should appear in the Bibliography under the heading Other.  See Rule 1.13. 

E Other 

Output from ChatGPT, OpenAI to John Smith, 23 February 2023 
Appendix An appendix is included in order to provide comprehensive information about the series of prompts used to generate the output.

Last updated 23 June 2023

Advice from APA Style

Cite/reference text generated by AI such as ChatGPT as software.

Example

Prompt and response using ChatGPT 
In-text citation

(Author of AI model, Year of version used)

(OpenAl, 2023)

Social media has become an essential and powerful tool for marketing, enabling companies to “reach new audiences and create a loyal following” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript). 
Reference list

Author of AI model used. (Year of AI model used). Name of AI model used (Version of AI model used) [Description of AI model used]. Web address of AI model used

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (November 22 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/
Appendix The full transcript of a response can be included in an appendix or other supplementary materials, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated.

Last updated 23 June 2023

Advice from the Chicago Manual of Style Online

You must acknowledge ChatGPT and similar tools when you reproduce its words within your own work, but that information should be put in the text or in a note - do not include ChatGPT in your bibliography or reference list.

Example

Prompt and response using ChatGPT 
In-text citation

CitationFootnote number

Social media has become an essential and powerful tool for marketing, enabling companies to “reach new audiences and create a loyal following".1
Footnote or Endnote

1. ChatGPT, response to “Write 1000 words on the benefits of social media for marketing", March 7, 2023, OpenAI.
Reference list

ChatGPT or similar are treated as personal communications (Rule 14.214). Do not include in your bibliography. 

Last updated 23 June 2023

At present, there is no official guidance from IEEE on how to cite AI-generated content. 

Macquarie University Library recommends referencing AI-generated content in the same way as personal communications.  

Example

Prompt and response using ChatGPT
In-text citation

Tool Use Date (Month Day Year) 

In response to a prompt from on March 7, 2023, Open AI’s ChatGPT suggested that social media has become an essential and powerful tool for marketing, enabling companies to “reach new audiences and create a loyal following.” 
Reference list Do not include in the Reference list.

At present, there is no official guidance on how to cite AI-generated content using the Vancouver style.

Macquarie University Library recommends referencing AI-generated content in the same way as personal communications.  

Example

Prompt and response using ChatGPT
In-text citation

Type of communication Communicator Date in this format (DD Month YYYY) 

In an online chat with OpenAI's ChatGPT AI language model (20 March 2023) on the benefits of social media for marketing …. 
Reference list Do not include in the Reference list.

Using generative artificial intelligence tools (eg. Chat GPT)