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Student Guide to Generative AI

Basic tips and advice to consider when using generative AI tools and chatbots in an academic setting.

How to cite generative AI

Remember to check with your instructor. Some instructors might not allow any use of ChatGPT and others might allow only limited use.

If you are allowed to use A.I. tools in an academic assignment, there are some general guidelines for citing (APA and MLA guides are included on this page). Keep in mind that these guidelines are not "set in stone" and are merely suggested templates at this point. Your instructor has the final say in how they want you to cite or acknowledge any use of AI.

Your instructor may also ask for an appendix that includes the prompts that you provided to ChatGPT or the full transcript of your interaction.

To acknowledge your use of generative AI: Acknowledging and Citing Generative AI in Academic Work.

AI and APA 7th

What You Need to Know:

There’s a lot of discussion about whether it’s okay to include generative AI (GenAI) tools—like ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini—in your references. These tools are constantly evolving, so the rules aren’t always clear. When in doubt, ask your instructor. They have the final say in how your papers and assignments should be structured. 

Here’s what matters for you as a student: 

  • Don’t use GenAI to write your assignments unless your instructor says it’s okay. Doing so without permission is considered plagiarism. 

  • Cite the original source (if applicable). Just like with Wikipedia, always look for the original source and use that instead. If a GenAI tool doesn't provide a source, ask it to. Make sure that the source provided actually exists and cite that instead (but only if it is an acceptable source).

  • Using GenAI without guidance can hurt your learning. It may limit your growth in critical thinking, creativity, and analysis—skills that are essential for academic success. 

  • GenAI isn’t like a regular source. It doesn’t have a real author, its answers can change each time, and it doesn’t “think”—it just predicts text. So, you can’t fully trust what it generates. 

  • Citation rules are still developing. MLA, APA, and other style guides offer suggestions, but they’re not final. Your instructor decides how you should cite GenAI content. 

  • If GenAI use is allowed, ask your instructor how to cite it properly. Don’t assume—always check. 

General URL Examples:

OpenAI (2023). ChatGPT (GPT-3.5) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com

Microsoft (2023). Copilot [Large language model]. https://copilot.microsoft.com

Google (2025). Gemini (Flash 2.5) [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com

 

Specific URL Examples:

OpenAI (2023). ChatGPT (GPT-3.5) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/share/685c4817-9da0-8002-85c4-8cdd0374b087

Perplexity AI (2025). Perplexity (v4.0.0) [Large language model]. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-is-the-release-date-for-p-rMylex_YTf6gYLlkiTHKkQ

Company or creator of the tool. (Year this version was released). Name of the AI tool or model (Version Number, Date, or Name - if known) [Type of AI model]. URL to the general AI tool site or to the specific content if publicly available

Author:

  • APA considers the company or creator of the tool to be the author.
  • NOTE: This is different from MLA, which does not want you to list an author for an AI tool.

Year:

  • The year date is the year that the version you used was released. 
  • If you can't find this information in the tool itself, you can search the internet to find out. Example: A Google search for Microsoft Copilot release date shows multiple results that confirm that Microsoft Copilot was released in 2023.

Version:

  • The version of the tool may be indicated as a date (e.g., June 2025 version), a version name (e.g., GPT-4o), or a version number (e.g., Version 3.5).
  • You may be able to determine the version of the AI tool by asking (prompting) it to tell you what version you are using. 
  • If no version is indicated, just skip this part of the citation.

URL:

  • If the generated content is publicly available without having to log in or create an account, provide the direct link to the chat transcript.
  • If logging in is required to view the content, then provide the main URL for the tool itself (e.g., https://copilot.microsoft.com).
  • URL differences between MLA and APA:
    • APA URLs should include the entire link (including https://).
    • APA URLs are NOT followed by a period.

 

AI and MLA 9th

What You Need to Know:

There’s a lot of discussion about whether it’s okay to include generative AI (GenAI) tools—like ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini—in your references. These tools are constantly evolving, so the rules aren’t always clear. When in doubt, ask your instructor. They have the final say in how your papers and assignments should be structured. 

Here’s what matters for you as a student: 

  • Don’t use GenAI to write your assignments unless your instructor says it’s okay. Doing so without permission is considered plagiarism. 

  • Cite the original source (if applicable). Just like with Wikipedia, always look for the original source and use that instead. If a GenAI tool doesn't provide a source, ask it to. Make sure that the source provided actually exists and cite that instead (but only if it is an acceptable source). 

  • Using GenAI without guidance can hurt your learning. It may limit your growth in critical thinking, creativity, and analysis—skills that are essential for academic success. 

  • GenAI isn’t like a regular source. It doesn’t have a real author, its answers can change each time, and it doesn’t “think”—it just predicts text. So, you can’t fully trust what it generates. 

  • Citation rules are still developing. MLA, APA, and other style guides offer suggestions, but they’re not final. Your instructor decides how you should cite GenAI content. 

  • If GenAI use is allowed, ask your instructor how to cite it properly. Don’t assume—always check. 

"How do you make coffee using a French press?" prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4o, OpenAI, 25 June 2025, chatgpt.com. 

"Prompt text" prompt. Title of AI Tool, Version (if available), Publisher of AI Tool (unless same as website name), Date Content was Generated, URL of AI Tool or Link to Specific Content Generated (do not include https:// at the beginning). 

Author:

  • MLA does not recommend treating the AI tool as an author. Skip this step.

Title of Source (Prompt):

  • If you do not refer to or mention information about the prompt in the body of your text, you should indicate that it is a prompt in your citation (e.g., "How do I make French press coffee?" prompt.)

Version:

  • The version of the tool may be indicated as a date (e.g., June 2025 version), a version name (e.g., GPT-4o), or a version number (e.g., Version 3.5).
  • You may be able to determine the version of the AI tool by asking (prompting) it to tell you what version you are using. 
  • If no version is indicated, just skip this part of the citation.

Publisher:

  • If the publisher of the AI tool is essentially the same as the name of the tool, you do not need to include it.

  • If you cannot find a publisher listed on the site of the tool, it is likely the same as the tool name, so skip it.

URL:

  • Do not include https:// at the beginning.
  • If the generated content is publicly available without having to log in or create an account, provide the direct link to the chat transcript.
  • If logging in is required to view the content, then provide the main URL for the tool itself (e.g., copilot.microsoft.com).

 

References