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Cite AI use if quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing from an AI-generated response to a prompt. It is a best practice to include the text of your prompt somewhere in the body of the paper.
The in-text citation includes the publisher of the AI tool used and the date that the version you used was released.
Example: When prompted, "Summarize The Stand by Stephen King in 200 words," Chat GPT responded ... (OpenAI, 2025).
If your instructor requires an appendix containing the prompt and response used, then refer to the Appendix when you cite.
Example: (OpenAI, 2025; see Appendix A for full transcript)
Elements: Publisher. (Date released). AI Tool Name (version number) [Description]. URL to publicly-available version of the tool.
Example: OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (version 4.1) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
NOTE: Always follow any guidance from your instructor about where and how to cite AI tools.
Cite AI use if quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing from an AI-generated response to a prompt. It is a best practice to include the text of your prompt somewhere in the body of the paper.
The in-text citation includes the name and version of the AI tool used and the date of the prompt.
Narrative Example: The following synopsis of The Stand was generated on July 30, 2025 by ChatGPT-4.
Footnote Example: 1. Text Generated by ChatGPT-4.1, OpenAI, July 30, 2025, https://chatgpt.com/share/688a632a-db2c-800e-b700-dec02013b594
Elements: Publisher. Response to "prompt text." AI Tool Name and version number. URL to prompt and response.
Example: OpenAI. Response to “Summarize The Stand by Stephen King in 200 words.” Chat-GPT-4.1, July 29, 2025. https://chatgpt.com/share/688a632a-db2c-800e-b700-dec02013b594
NOTE: Always follow any guidance from your instructor about where and how to cite AI tools.
CSE strongly discourages the use of Generative AI tools. If absolutely necessary, treat AI-generated text as a personal communication with an in-text citation but no listing in the References page.
Elements: Publisher of AI tool, name of AI tool, date of prompt
Example: (OpenAI, Chat GPT, 30 July 2025)
NOTE: Always follow any guidance from your instructor about where and how to cite AI tools.
Cite AI use if quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing from an AI-generated response to a prompt. It is a best practice to include the text of your prompt somewhere in the body of the paper.
The in-text citation includes a portion of the prompt used.
Narrative Example: When prompted, "Summarize The Stand by Stephen King in 200 words," Chat GPT responded ...
Parenthetical Example: "The Stand by Stephen King is an epic post-apocalyptic novel about a deadly engineered flu" ("Summarize The Stand").
Elements: "Text of your prompt" prompt. Name of AI tool used, version number, publisher name, date of prompt, unique URL to prompt and response.
Example: "Summarize The Stand by Stephen King in 200 words" prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4.1, OpenAI, 30 July 2025, https://chatgpt.com/share/688a632a-db2c-800e-b700-dec02013b594.
NOTE: Always follow any guidance from your instructor about where and how to cite AI tools.
Above the AI-generated image, provide a Figure # and brief title. Below the image, provide a caption stating the tool and prompt used. There is no reference page listing for an image you created with AI. However, if you are using AI-generated art from someone else, you must cite the work in which it is published.
Figure 1: Martian Astronaut with Duck Toy
ChatGPT 4.1: "Create a photorealistic image of an international astronaut on Mars, wearing a giant duck inflatable toy around its waist."
Below the image, give the figure number, tool, and prompt used.
Fig. 2. Image created by OpenAI's ChatGPT, July 30, 2025, from the prompt: "Create a photorealistic image of an international astronaut on Mars, wearing a giant duck inflatable toy around its waist."
Images are not typically cited in the reference list. If your instructor requires a reference list citation, cite under the name of the publisher.
Elements: Publisher. Response to "prompt." Tool and version, date of prompt.
Example: OpenAI. Response to "Create a photorealistic image of an international astronaut on Mars, wearing a giant duck inflatable toy around its waist." ChatGPT 4.1, July 30, 2025.
CSE strongly discourages the use of Generative AI tools. If absolutely necessary, treat AI-generated text as a personal communication with an in-text citation but no listing in the References page.
Elements: Publisher of AI tool, name of AI tool, date of prompt
Example:
(OpenAI, Chat GPT, 30 July 2025)
Provide a caption for the image that includes the figure number, prompt, tool, publisher, and date of prompt.
Example:
Fig. 2 "Create a photorealistic image of an international astronaut on Mars, wearing a giant duck inflatable toy around its waist" prompt. ChatGPT 4.1, OpenAI, 30 July 2025.
Elements: "Prompt text" prompt, tool and version, publisher, date of prompt, unique URL.
Example: "Create a photorealistic image of an international astronaut on Mars, wearing a giant duck inflatable toy around its waist" prompt, ChatGPT 4.1, OpenAI, 30 July 2025, https://chatgpt.com/share/688a76a6-16c8-800e-bb7f-14c427032345.
Citations should be used when referring to text or images generated by an AI tool. However, generative AI tools can be used for a variety of other purposes, including summarizing, outlining, brainstorming search keywords or lists, and helping with revisions or editing. Not all of these uses result in text or pictures that can be cited. For these alternate purposes or any other AI use, a statement of acknowledgment should be included with your list of cited sources (or other location specified by your instructor). Use a separate heading titled Acknowledgments.
If you did not use AI at all for your assignment, consider adding a statement to this effect.
Example: I completed this assignment independently, without the use of any generative AI tools.
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