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Citing Sources: Generative AI

Check with your instructor before using AI:

Always ask your instructor or consult your course outline to confirm:

  • Whether AI tools are allowed

  • To what extent they may be used

  • How your use of AI should be documented or cited

Instructors may have additional or alternative requirements, so review assignment instructions carefully before you begin.

Important Notes When Using AI

  • Always verify AI-generated information and any sources it produces.

  • AI tools may:

    • generate inaccurate, oversimplified, or exaggerated information and summaries

    • fabricate citations or sources(“hallucinations”)

    • recommend promotional or low-quality websites as reliable sources

  • Consultation with the GB Library's guide on Responsible Use of Generative AI is recommended to understand key terms, how to evaluate outputs, academic integrity, harm considerations, and copyright. 

Citing Generative AI

  • The current MLA handbook does not include official guidelines for citing generative AI tools.
  • Citation practices for AI are still evolving and may change once MLA updates its recommendations.

The guidance provided here is based on:

Citing an AI Chat

"Full text of the prompt" prompt. Title of container (name of AI tool), version (some tools indicate version by date), Publisher (name of company that made the tool), Date content was created, URL (use URL for the chat if a shareable URL is available; if not, use the general URL for the tool).

Works Cited List Example

 "Write a list of essential small business software" prompt. ChatGPT, model GPT-4o, OpenAI, 08 Dec. 2025, https://chatgpt.com/share/69372332-9d6c-8012-b174-da508245738b.
In-Text Paraphrase and Quote

("Shortened text of prompt")

Shortened prompt example: ("Write a list")

Note: A shorter version of the prompt can be used for in-text citations.
Best Practices

Describe or include your prompt in the text, notes, or appendix to increase transparency and help readers understand the nature and extent of your AI use.

Example: I provided the following prompt to ChatGPT ("Write a list"): “Write a list of essential small business software.” After reading the initial response, I refined the prompt by asking ChatGPT to note whether each tool has a free tier.
For more information, check the official MLA Style blog: How do I cite generative AI in MLA style? (Updated and Revised)

Citing a Source Located by an AI Tool

MLA recommends "directly consulting and citing the sources that the AI links to instead of the AI response."

Best Practices

When a generative AI tool directs you to a source, open the source, read the full text, and cite the source directly.
For more information, check the official MLA Style blog: How do I cite generative AI in MLA style? (Updated and Revised)