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MLA Citation Guide (8th Edition): Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc)

Before Citing AI

  • Before using ChatGPT or other generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, make sure to check with your instructor if you can do so, and if so what exactly is permitted for a specific assignment

  • If you are permitted to use ChatGPT or similar AI, evaluate the content carefully and critically. Content produced may contain incorrect or biased and therefore unreliable information. These tools may also infringe on your privacy (e.g. collecting data about you and sharing it), so use them with caution. Consider using more authoritative, reliable, secure sources instead
  • If you are permitted to use AI-generated content, make sure to cite the information you use in the text and in the works cited list 
  • For more explanations and various examples from the MLA Style Centre

Acknowledgments

This page was adapted from Ulrike Kestler's (KPU Library) MLA Citation: Artificial Intelligence: ChatGPT page.

Recommendations when using AI

We also recommend that you include the following:
  • Written acknowledgment of the generative AI tool used and for what purpose
  • The prompt(s) used to generate the content 
  • A note about your modifications
  • Include the original output with your submission

How to Cite AI Generated Text

When you quote, summarize or paraphrase AI generated text, you must cite it in-text and in your Works Cited list.

Works cited format: 

 "Your prompt" prompt. Name of Tool, Version, Publisher/Company, Date content was generated, URL.

Works Cited Example

"What is the difference between paraphrasing and quoting" prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4o Mini version, OpenAI, 15 Oct. 2024, chat.openai.com/chat. 
In-Text Citation Examples

("Shortened version of your prompt")

Example: ("What is the difference")

Narrative example: 

When asked to explain the difference between quoting and paraphrasing, ChatGPT responded noting that "paraphrasing still requires you to credit the original source" ("What is the difference"). 

How to Cite AI Generated Images

If you are incorporating an AI-generated image in your work, give it a figure number and create a caption for it. Follow the format:

Fig. #. "Your prompt" prompt, Name of AI Tool, version, Company/Publisher, date created, URL. 

Example for including an AI generated image within the body of your assignment:

A DALL-E generated image of a painting depicting a small white and brown dog inside an oval frame, with a long forked tongue sticking out.

Fig. 1. “A Hieronymus Bosch painting of a sweet little dog” prompt, DALL-E, version 2, OpenAI, 12 Nov. 2022, openai.com/product/dall-e-2.