How Do I Cite Generative AI?

The University of Chicago Press recommends that you cite generative AI tools when you reproduce its words (quoted or paraphrased) and other content (e.g., images) within your own work.

• From the new official Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition (September 2024) - MacID required
  • 14.112: Citing AI-generated content (e.g., cited in the text, cited in a note, in a bibliography or reference list)
  • 3.38: Crediting adapted material (e.g., images created with the help of generative AI)

NOTE: This guidance is subject to change as each style develops its standards.  Please check with the publisher of each style for the most current guidance, or consult with your instructor or a librarian.

Guidance for citing AI-generated content according to the 17th edition of Chicago is still available in this section of the guide.

If content (text, images, etc.) generated by an AI tool is included in your work (e.g., quoted or paraphrased), you should cite the tool's usage where it occurs in the text or in a note.

When citing an AI tool in the text or in a note, the AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT) is treated as the author of the content and the developer of the AI tool (e.g. OpenAI) is treated as the publisher. The date the content was generated and the AI tool's version number should also be included. The URL should link to a publicly available copy of the AI generated content (see also CMOS 18:13.6 & 13.17).

Also, if the  AI-generated content has been edited or adapted, this should be acknowledged in the text or in the note (e.g., edited for style and accuracy)

Cited in the Text (based on Chicago, 18th ed.)

Examples:

The following instructions for fixing a flat bicycle tire were generated on September 30, 2024, by ChatGPT-4.

Here's an image generated with artificial intelligence:

Fig. 8. Image generated by Microsoft Bing Image Creator, DALL-E 3, August 26, 2024, from the prompt "Cityscape at sunset in cubist style."
 

Cited in a Note (based on Chicago, 18th ed.)

Footnote or Endnote

Examples:

• Number. Footnote or endnote number based on its sequence in the body of your text - 1.
• Author, Name and version of AI tool - ChatGPT-4,
• Publisher, Developer of AI tool - OpenAI,
• Date, Date content was generated, Month Day, Year - September 30, 2024,
• URL. Publicly available link that points to the AI generated content - https://chatgpt.com/share/66fb0ff3-7280-8009-93a9-d956f412390b.

If the prompt hasn’t been included in the text, it can be included in the note as follows. If several prompts were used (as in an extended conversation) it may be summarized.

• Number. Footnote or endnote number based on its sequence in the body of your text - 2.
• Prompt (Title), response to “Text prompt in quotes,” - Response to "Tell me how to fix a flat bicycle tire,"
• Author, Name and version of AI tool - ChatGPT-4,
• Publisher, Developer of AI tool - OpenAI,
• Date, Date content was generated, Month Day, Year - September 30, 2024,
• URL. Publicly available link that points to the AI generated content - https://chatgpt.com/share/66fb0ff3-7280-8009-93a9-d956f412390b.

AI-generated Text (based on Chicago, 18th ed.)

AI-generated text is not usually listed in a bibliography or reference list, but if included, consider citing the AI conversation like a personal communication (e.g., emails, letters, text messages, etc.)(see also CMOS 18:14.111). Cite the text under the name of the publisher or developer rather than the name of the tool and include a publicly available URL (see also CMOS 18:14.104).

Example:

• Publisher. Developer of AI Tool - OpenAI.
• Prompt (Title). Response to “Text prompt in quotes.” - Response to "Tell me how to fix a flat bicycle tire."
• Author, Name and version of AI tool - ChatGPT-4,
• Date. Date content was generated, Month Day, Year -September 30, 2024.
• URL. Publicly available link that points to the AI generated content - https://chatgpt.com/share/66fb0ff3-7280-8009-93a9-d956f412390b.

AI-generated Images (based on Chicago, 18th ed.)

The source of your images should be credited, including those generated by AI tools (see also CMOS 18:3.30-38). Images are not usually listed in a bibliography or reference list, but if included, consider using the following format for AI-generated images.

Cite the image under the name of the publisher or developer rather than the name of the tool and include a publicly available URL (see also CMOS 18:14.104).

Example:

• Publisher. Developer of AI tool - Microsoft
• Prompt (Title). Response to “Text prompt in quotes.” - Response to "Cityscape at sunset in cubist style."
• Author, Name and version of AI tool - Bing Image Creator, DALL-E 3,
• Date. Date content was generated, Month Day, Year - August 26, 2024.
• URL. Publicly available link that points to the AI generated content - https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIG1.giyozqMtQv0gACrZ2CO_?pid=ImgGn.

Generative AI - Chicago (18th ed.) Citation Activity 1: True or False?

Generative AI - Chicago (18th ed.) Citation Activity 2: Build A Bibliography