Source: APA Style Blog: How to cite ChatGPT
APA (7th ed.) – Citing Generative AI
1. Rule
Treat generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT) as software. Credit the company as author, include the version/date, describe the tool in brackets, and link to the homepage. Because responses are non‑retrievable, you may describe your prompt in the text and/or include the full exchange in an appendix (see examples on the APA style blog linked above).
2. Citation Format & Examples
In‑text Parenthetical: (OpenAI, 2025)
In‑text Narrative: OpenAI (2025)
Reference: OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (GPT-4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
Provide the prompt you used and then any portion of the relevant text that was generated in response.
In‑text: I asked ChatGPT, “Summarize the main arguments for and against mandatory voting in national elections” (OpenAI, 2025).
In-text with appendix note: I asked ChatGPT, “Summarize the main arguments for and against mandatory voting in national elections” (OpenAI, 2025; see Appendix A for the full transcript).
Reference: OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (GPT-4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/cha
Sources:
Chicago Manual of Style – Citing Generative AI (18th. ed)
1. Rule
Credit AI-generated text (e.g., from ChatGPT) as non‑retrievable personal communication: always acknowledge the tool in your work—and use a footnote or author‑date citation. Do not include a bibliography entry unless the cited conversation is made publicly accessible via a shareable URL.
2. Citation Formats & Examples
The following summary of arguments for and against mandatory voting in national elections was generated on August 4, 2025, by ChatGPT‑4.0.
1. Text generated by ChatGPT-4.0, OpenAI, August 4, 2025, https://chat.openai.com/share/90b8137d-ff1c-4c0c-b123-2868623c4ae2.
A prompt, if not included in the text, may be added to the note. Multiple prompts (as in an extended conversation) may be summarized.
2. Response to “Summarize the main arguments for and against mandatory voting in national elections,” ChatGPT‑4.0, OpenAI, August 4, 2025, edited for style and accuracy.
If for any reason an AI conversation is included in a bibliography or reference list, cite it under the name of the publisher or developer rather than the name of the tool and include a publicly available URL. Example:
Google. Response to “Summarize the main arguments for and against mandatory voting in national elections,” Gemini 1.0, February 10, 2024. https://g.co/gemini/share/cccc26abdc19.
Source: Ask MLA: How do I cite generative AI in MLA style?
MLA (9th ed.) – Citing Generative AI
1. Rule
Cite whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate AI‑generated content, and acknowledge functional uses (like translation or editing) in a note or your text. Use the MLA template of core elements to cite generative AI content:
Author: MLA does not recommend using the AI tool as Author
Title of Source: Describe what was generated in the element
Title of Container: List the AI Tool
Version: Name the version if shown (e.g., GPT‑4, Feb. 13 version)
Publisher: Name the company that made the tool
Date: State the date the content was created
Location: State the general URL for the tool
2. Citation Formats & Examples
Paraphrased in the text
In‑text: Arguments for and against mandatory voting generally focus on civic duty versus personal freedom (“Summarize the main arguments”).
Works Cited: “Summarize the main arguments for and against mandatory voting in national elections” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, 4 Aug. 2025, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
In‑text: When asked to summarize arguments for and against mandatory voting, ChatGPT‑4 noted, “Supporters argue that it strengthens democracy by increasing voter turnout and ensuring representation” (“Summarize the main arguments”).
Works Cited: Response to “Summarize the main arguments for and against mandatory voting in national elections.” ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, 4 Aug. 2025, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
For many more MLA examples, including how to cite AI‑generated visual works, visit the MLA Style Center’s guidance on citing generative AI.