Citation Styles

The MLA Style Blog entitled "How do I cite Generative AI in MLA Style", published on 17 March 2023, has some recommendations on how to cite ChatGPT.

Using the MLA Template:

Author
MLA does not recommend treating the AI tool as an author.

Title of Source
Describe what was generated by the AI tool. This may involve including information about the prompt in the Title of Source element if you have not done so in the text. 

Title of Container
Use the Title of Container element to name the AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT).

Version
Name the version of the AI tool as specifically as possible. For example, the examples in this post were developed using ChatGPT 3.5, which assigns a specific date to the version, so the Version element shows this version date.

Publisher
Name the company that made the tool.

Date
Give the date the content was generated.

Location
Provide the unique URL that leads to the generated content, if available. Otherwise, give the general URL for the tool.

Examples:

Works-Cited-List Entry:

“Describe the significance of the three witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth” prompt. ChatGPT, 3 Aug. 2023 version, OpenAI, 8 Aug. 2023, chat.openai.com/share/5bd0fa94-03ad-43fb-b094-24b06f59ca0a

In-Text Citation:

(“Describe the significance”)

The following shows how the in-text citation is included within the paragraph:

Readers are introduced to the three witches in Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth. Their presence and actions (“Describe the significance”) contributed to the development of the plot and characters and they also served as dramatic devices in the play.

Other things to note:

MLA also recommended acknowledging the AI tool whenever you used the tool.  It can be in the form of a note or within your text.  You also need to verify any sources or citations that the tool provides.

Check assignment instructions and clarify if and to what extent are AI tools permitted. Any permitted use of AI in assessment / assignment must be acknowledged appropriately.