How do I cite output from generative AI tools like ChatGPT?
Answer
MLA and APA both provide guidance for citing output from generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc. This guidance is likely to change as these tools become more integrated into the research process.
MLA Format for Chats / Estilo MLA para Chat
"Description of prompt" prompt. Name of the AI Tool, Version, Name of Company that Made the Tool, Date the Content Was Generated, Stable/Shareable OR General URL.
"Provide 3 main themes of The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie" prompt. Gemini, 2.5 Flash version, Google, 26 August 2025, gemini.google.com.
Parenthetical citation: ("Provide 3 main themes")
APA Format for Chats / Estilo APA para Chat
AI Company Name. (year, month day of chat). Title of chat in italics [Description, such as Generative AI chat]. Tool Name/Model. URL of the chat
Google. (2025, August 26). 3 main themes of The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie [Generative AI chat]. Gemini 2.5 Flash. https://g.co/gemini/share/...
Parenthetical citation: (Google, 2025)
Narrative citation: Google (2025)
APA Format for AI Tools / Estilo APA para Herramientas de IA
AI Company Name. (Year in which the AI Tool Was Most Recently Updated). General Name of the AI tool OR Name of the AI Model [Description of the AI]. URL of the AI tool
Google. (2025). Gemini 2.5 Flash [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com
Parenthetical citation: (Google, 2025)
Narrative citation: Google (2025)