How to Accurately Cite ChatGPT for Credible Sources | ClickUp
Ever since ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022, people have been using it for various tasks, from brainstorming ideas to drafting content. It’s become common to see AI-powered content in both academic and professional environments. However, to avoid any impression of plagiarism, you need to learn to give ChatGPT proper credit, especially in an academic setting. Just like you’d cite a book or article, there are moments when citing ChatGPT (and other AI chatbots) is necessary, especially when it’s helped shape your work. Knowing how to do this the right way keeps everything transparent and ethical. This article teaches you just how to cite AI!
Importance of Citing ChatGPT
Proper citation is essential when using a generative AI tool like ChatGPT in academic or professional writing. It’s crucial for maintaining transparency and credibility. Here’s why citing generative AI sources is important:
- Citing ChatGPT acknowledges the source of the information or the AI prompts you’re using, giving proper recognition to the tool you relied on.
- Citing ChatGPT allows readers to understand how you generated the content, distinguishing between your original ideas and the assistance you received from artificial intelligence.
- Citations make it easy for readers to trace back the origin of information, which is crucial with AI tools like ChatGPT where content may change over time in response to similar prompts.
- Being upfront about using AI fosters trust with your readers, reinforcing your commitment to intellectual and academic integrity.
When to Cite ChatGPT
Knowing when to cite ChatGPT is key to using AI tools responsibly. While you don’t need to cite every interaction, there are specific instances where giving credit is essential to maintain transparency and credibility. Here are the main situations where you should definitely cite ChatGPT:
- If you copy and paste any response, phrase, or paragraph that ChatGPT generates, it’s crucial to cite it.
- Even if you don’t use ChatGPT’s words verbatim, if its responses shape your thoughts or provide the foundation for your argument, you should cite it.
- If you use Generative AI tools, like ChatGPT for translations, coding, or providing technical explanations, and you incorporate that into your work, it’s important to give credit.
Some academic or professional settings may have specific guidelines about the use of AI in research or writing. If you’re in a field that emphasizes source transparency, it’s safer to cite ChatGPT whenever it plays a role in your process.
Citing ChatGPT with Common Citation Styles
Here’s a breakdown of how to cite ChatGPT with common citation styles:
APA Format
The American Psychological Association (APA) recommends citing ChatGPT as a personal communication because the responses generated are not retrievable by others. In APA format, you should include the author (in this case, OpenAI) and the year of access in a parenthetical citation.
Example: “ChatGPT can provide detailed information on a wide range of topics.” (OpenAI, 2023).
Chicago Style
Citing AI-generated content in Chicago style involves acknowledging the source within the text or using footnotes/endnotes. Since ChatGPT responses are not retrievable, they are usually cited only in footnotes.
Footnote example: OpenAI, ChatGPT, response to a prompt by John Doe, February 28, 2025.
MLA Format
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style treats AI-generated content as personal communication. MLA format typically requires just the author’s name, without page numbers.
Example: “ChatGPT is increasingly used for academic research.” (OpenAI).
IEEE Style
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) style follows a numeric citation format.
Example: As discussed by OpenAI’s ChatGPT [1], AI is transforming academic writing.
Guidelines for Quoting or Reproducing ChatGPT Text
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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing ChatGPT
When citing ChatGPT, there are common mistakes to avoid to ensure that your use of AI-generated content remains transparent and ethical. Here are four key mistakes to watch out for:
- Don't treat ChatGPT like a human author with traditional credentials; credit the tool itself without implying it holds the same authority as an expert source.
- Include the date when accessing information from ChatGPT to account for potential updates and changes in responses over time.
