Library FAQ

Before using AI for an academic assignment, please read your course syllabus and assignment instructions. Do not use AI for academic work without approval from your instructor.

As of this writing, the American Psychological Association has evolving guidance on this topic. Best practices around citing AI are always changing, so please consult your instructor and/or the Tutoring and Writing Center, where you can book appointments with expert writing consultants.

Do not cite facts or data from an AI, instead find the original source of the information, read the full text, and use that source in your work. Use a disclaimer or acknowledgment that AI was used in your work in accordance with your assignment's instructions.

There are two parts to citing ChatGPT in APA style, the in-text citation and the reference list. 

1. In-text citation:

ChatGPT never gives the same answer twice, even if you ask the same question. For this reason, you should quote all or part of its answer along with the AI company and the date in parentheses. See the example below:

When asked to rank the artist's output, ChatGPT responded: "Determining the 'best' David Bowie album is subjective and depends on individual taste, as Bowie's discography spans diverse styles and eras. However, one of the most acclaimed and influential albums is 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars'" (OpenAI, 2024).

2. Reference list:

OpenAI is the author in this instance. For other AI models, another company or an individual may be the author instead. Since ChatGPT is constantly changing, it's necessary to include key information to help your reader keep track.

OpenAI (2024). ChatGPT (Jan 18 version) [Large language model]. 

https://chat.openai.com/chat