You do need to cite text you have obtained from an AI tool/large language model. This allows you to be clear and transparent with your readers about where the text came from. The text generated by these models is not able to be reproduced exactly by others (or yourself) using the same prompt, so it's important that you keep careful notes on what the model has generated for you.
Most citation styles recommend that you do not cite an AI tool/large language model as an author or co-author. This is because authors assume responsibility for the work they turn in for class, or put out into the world, and a tool cannot take on ethical responsibilities. When you use an AI tool/large language model in your work, you are taking on the ethical responsibility for using and citing it.
Below are some examples of how to cite AI in common citation styles:
The APA style blog gives the following example for citing ChatGPT:
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
You can use the same structure to cite any AI tool/large language model:
Publisher. (Year). Name of AI Product. (Version). [Additional context]. URL
The Chicago Manual of Style gives the following formatting examples for citing ChatGPT:
Notes & Bibliography Style footnote:
1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 7, 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
Author Date Style in-text citation:
(ChatGPT, March 7, 2023).
Since the text of ChatGPT can't be accessed through a URL, the Chicago Manual of Style recommends not citing it in the bibliography and instead treating text generated by a Large Language Model like you would any other personal communication (see CMOS 14.214 and 15.53).
All works cited in MLA Style follow the same template. The MLA Style Center has examples of citing AI tools/large language models on their page, How Do I Cite Generative AI in MLA Style?, which gives the following example:
“The Sunflower” villanelle about a sunflower. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
Here's the template specifics when citing an AI tool/large language model:
Author: Do not use.
Title of the Source: Describe the generated text. You may also want to include information about the prompt.
Title of the Container: The name of the AI Tool/Large Language Model.
Version: Be specific, for instance ChatGPT 3.5
Publisher: The company that produced the AI Tool/Large Language Model.
Date: The date the text was generated>
Location: URL of the the AI Tool/Large Language Model.
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