Cite AI tools and software in APA 7
Learn how to cite AI tools, software and apps in APA 7 style. Follow templates for ChatGPT, image generators and mobile apps to reference sources accurately in your writing.
APA 7Journal articlesBooks and ebooksWeb and social mediaImagesSound and videoReports and web documentsAI tools and softwareBrochure, pamphlet or exhibition catalogueCourse materialsIndigenous sourcesLegal materialMedia sources and opinion piecesInterview transcriptPersonal communicationSpecialised health resourcesThesis and conference papersAustralian Standards
How do you cite and reference AI content?
To reference the content output of large language models such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Elicit, or Research Rabbit, APA advises using the following format, based on the style for referencing software.
This guidance is adapted from the APA 7 Style blog.
This guidance is adapted from the APA 7 Style blog.
How you cite and reference Gen AI tools depends on how you’ve used it.
If you've used GenAI to brainstorm ideas or as an information source, you'll need to cite a specific chat. If you've used GenAI more generally, e.g. to edit your writing, edit computer code, to translate text, or to generate images, you'll need to cite the GenAI tool.
Before you use GenAI
- Seek permission and clarify how GenAI can be used before using GenAI tools in any way.
- Undergraduate students: check your unit descriptions and talk with lecturers, tutors, or unit or course coordinators as use of GenAI tools may vary for each assessment or course.
- Higher Degree by Research students: have a conversation with Graduate Research Services, supervisors, or publishers where relevant.
- Acknowledge any use of GenAI tools in an in-text citation and reference list entry.
- Remember to save your prompts and output because you may also need to provide an acknowedgement and transcript in an appendix detailing your interaction with the GenAI tools.
- Check with your lecturer if you've used GenAI as a search engine because you might not need to reference it. Also, remember that GenAI tools often hallucinate references, so use library search to check that they actually exist, read carefully, and cite those sources if appropriate.