How To Cite AI Tools

Why You Should Cite AI Tools

You might think, “It’s just a tool, why bother citing it?” Well, citing AI tools is just as important as citing books, articles, or websites. Here’s why:
 

1. Academic Integrity

When you use AI-generated text or insights in research, failing to cite it is basically passing off someone else’s (or something else’s) work as your own. Even if it’s not a human author, the ideas or phrasing came from a source you didn’t create. Citing AI tools keeps your work honest.
 

2. Transparency

Citing AI tools tells your readers exactly how you generated information or structured your work. Did you brainstorm ideas using ChatGPT? Did you summarise a complex study using an AI summariser? Transparency builds trust with your audience.
 

3. Research Accuracy

AI tools can make mistakes. By citing them, you show that you didn’t blindly rely on the AI but incorporated it responsibly. This strengthens your credibility as a human researcher.
 

4. Future Reference

When someone reads your work, they might want to see exactly how you arrived at your conclusions. By citing AI tools, you create a trail that others can follow if they want to replicate or verify your research.

Different Citation Formats for AI Tools

Different disciplines and publishers have their own preferred citation styles. Here’s a breakdown of the main formats you might use:
 

APA Style

• Author: Usually the name of the AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT)
• Year: The year the AI was used
• Format: Include the type of tool and URL if available

Example:
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://openai.com/chatgpt

MLA Style

• Author: Name of AI
• Title: Name of the tool in italics
• Version or publisher
• URL or access date

Example:
OpenAI. ChatGPT. Version Dec 2023, OpenAI, https://openai.com/chatgpt.

Chicago Style

• Author: Name of AI tool
• Title and type
• Year
• URL

Example:
OpenAI. ChatGPT. AI language model, 2023. https://openai.com/chatgpt.

Harvard Style

• Author
• Year
• Title
• Type
• Available at: URL
• Accessed: Date

Example:
OpenAI, 2023. ChatGPT, AI language model. Available at: https://openai.com/chatgpt [Accessed 30 Jan. 2026].

Tip: Always check your institution or publisher’s guidelines. AI citations are still evolving, so standards may vary.

Step-By-Step Guide To Citing AI Tools

Citing AI tools does not have to be intimidating. Here’s a simple step-by-step approach:
 

Step 1: Identify the Tool

Know exactly which AI tool you used. Was it ChatGPT, Research Prospect’s AI Summariser, Jasper AI, or a summarisation tool like Scholarcy?
 

Step 2: Record Details

Keep track of the version, date of use, and access method. AI tools are updated frequently, so the version matters.
 

Step 3: Decide Citation Style

Determine whether your project uses APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard style. This ensures your citation fits the required format.
 

Step 4: Format Your Citation

Use the examples above to format your citation correctly. Include the tool name, type, version, year, and URL if applicable.
 

Step 5: Include In-Text Citations

Even with AI, in-text citations are important. Example: (OpenAI, 2025) when referencing content generated by ChatGPT.
 

Step 6: Add to References

Always include your AI tool in the references, appendices or bibliography list. This maintains full transparency.
 

Examples of AI Tool Citations

Here’s a handy table to make things easy.

Best Practices When Using AI Tools

Using AI tools effectively means balancing efficiency with human oversight. Here’s how to do it:
 

1. Treat AI as a Helper, Not a Replacement

AI is great for generating ideas, summarising research, or drafting content, but human judgment is key. Your critical thinking and unique insights are what make research meaningful.
 

2. Verify Information

AI can make mistakes or provide outdated information. Always fact-check before including any AI-generated content in your work.
 

3. Keep Detailed Records

Log every AI interaction that contributes to your work. This will make citations accurate and show that you’re using AI responsibly.
 

4. Avoid Over-Reliance

Relying too heavily on AI can reduce originality. Keep the human voice front and center, your analysis, interpretation, and creativity matter most.
 

5. Stay Ethical

Always cite AI sources to avoid plagiarism, and don’t try to pass AI-generated content as 100% your own ideas. Your credibility depends on it.
 

6. Use AI to Save Time, Not Replace Skills

AI is excellent for speeding up mundane tasks like summarising research papers or generating ideas, but the deep analysis, context understanding, and detailed writing must come from you.
 

Why Human Writers Still Matter

Some people worry AI will replace human writers. The truth? AI is a tool, not a replacement. Here’s why human writers are still irreplaceable:

1. Creativity: AI can generate patterns, but it can’t originate truly novel ideas or think outside the box.
2. Critical Thinking: Humans can evaluate context, spot bias, and interpret meaning in ways AI cannot.
3. Ethical Judgment: AI cannot make moral or ethical decisions about content use. Humans ensure content is responsible and fair.
4. Research Depth: AI summarises, but humans dig deep, analyse multiple sources, and synthesise unique insights.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned researchers make mistakes when citing AI. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Not including the AI tool in references
• Ignoring version/date as AI updates constantly, so include version info.
• Relying solely on AI. Your work should reflect your analysis, not just AI output.
• Incorrect citation style. Check the style guide for the right format.
• Forgetting in-text citations. Include citations where you use AI-generated ideas or text.

Frequently Asked Questions