Home > Blog > How to Cite AI Tools (ChatGPT, Claude) in Academic Papers: Complete 2026 Guide

How to Cite AI Tools (ChatGPT, Claude) in Academic Papers: Complete 2026 Guide

TL;DR: Cite AI tools when you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate their output. APA, MLA, and Chicago styles all require attribution but format differently: APA treats AI as software (OpenAI, 2023), MLA focuses on the prompt as title, and Chicago uses footnote notes. Always include the prompt, tool name, version, and date. When in doubt, follow your instructor’s guidelines.

Introduction: Why AI Citation Matters in 2026

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini have become ubiquitous in academic writing. Students use them for brainstorming, drafting, editing, and research assistance. But as AI-generated content flows into essays and research papers, a critical question emerges: How do you properly cite an AI tool?

The answer isn’t always straightforward. Unlike traditional sources with clear authors and page numbers, AI tools present unique challenges: they don’t have “pages,” their responses change each time you ask, and they sometimes fabricate sources. Yet failing to cite AI appropriately can lead to accusations of academic dishonesty or, worse, unknowingly incorporating false information.

Major citation style guides—APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard—have all issued specific guidelines for AI citation between 2023-2025. This guide synthesizes those official recommendations into a practical, actionable reference you can use throughout your academic career. We’ll cover when to cite AI, how to format citations in every major style, and ethical considerations that go beyond mere formatting.

⚠️ Academic Integrity Note: Always check your university’s specific AI policy. Many institutions now require disclosure of AI use in methodology sections or appendices, regardless of citation style. The University of Arizona, for instance, emphasizes that students must follow both institutional guidelines and citation style rules [source needed]. When conflicts arise, defer to your instructor’s requirements.

Table of Contents

  1. When Do You Actually Need to Cite AI?
  2. APA 7th Edition: ChatGPT, Claude, and Other LLMs
  3. MLA 9th Edition: Prompt-Centric Citation
  4. Chicago Manual of Style: Footnotes vs. Author-Date
  5. Harvard Referencing: Creator-Focused Approach
  6. Citing Different AI Tools: Quick Reference Table
  7. Advanced Scenarios: Images, Code, and Edited Output
  8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
  9. Ethical Considerations Beyond Citation
  10. Checklist: AI Citation Process
  11. Related Guides
  12. Conclusion & Next Steps

When Do You Actually Need to Cite AI?

You should cite an AI tool whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate its generated text, images, code, or data into your own work. This aligns with standard academic practice: cite ideas that are not your own or common knowledge.

Cite AI when:

  • You directly quote AI-generated text
  • You paraphrase or summarize AI output
  • You use AI-generated images, figures, or tables
  • You incorporate AI-generated code or data
  • You use AI to analyze primary sources and report those analyses

You generally do NOT need to cite AI when:

  • You use it for basic proofreading (like Grammarly) [^1]
  • You brainstorm ideas without incorporating specific output
  • You use it to understand concepts (but cite if you reproduce explanations)
  • Your institution’s policy explicitly exempts certain uses

The safest approach: When in doubt, cite it. Many universities now require disclosure of AI use regardless of whether you incorporate its output verbatim. For example, some institutions ask students to include an “AI Usage Statement” in appendices.

[^1]: Note that advanced grammar tools like GrammarlyPremium use AI but are often treated differently than generative tools like ChatGPT. However, some style guides recommend citing them if significant rewriting occurs. See our guide on [Grammarly vs. Professional Proofreading] for more.

APA 7th Edition: ChatGPT, Claude, and Other LLMs

The American Psychological Association (APA) was among the first style guides to address AI citation, releasing official guidance in April 2023 and updates through 2025. Their approach treats AI tools as software or algorithms, with the developing company as the author.

APA Reference Format

The basic reference entry format is:

Author. (Year). Model name (Version) [Description]. URL

Elements:

  • Author: The company that developed the AI (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic, Google)
  • Date: The year of the version you used (find this displayed in the tool interface)
  • Model name: The specific AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude 3 Opus, Gemini 1.5)
  • Version: Date or version number as displayed (e.g., “Mar 14 version”, “GPT-4o”)
  • Description in brackets: “[Large language model]” or “[Chatbot]” or “[Multimodal model]”
  • URL: The tool’s main access URL (https://chat.openai.com for ChatGPT)

Example reference entries:

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (Jan 15 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Anthropic. (2025). Claude (Claude 3.5 Sonnet version) [Large language model]. https://claude.ai

Google. (2025). Gemini (Gemini 1.5 Pro version) [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com

APA In-Text Citations

Parenthetical citation:

(OpenAI, 2025)

Narrative citation:

OpenAI (2025) generated the following analysis…

When quoting a specific response, include the prompt in your text:

When prompted to “explain the greenhouse effect in simple terms,” ChatGPT produced a definition suitable for middle school students (OpenAI, 2025).

If you’ve used multiple AI tools with the same author (e.g., multiple OpenAI products), differentiate them in the narrative:

ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2025) provided X, while DALL-E (OpenAI, 2025) generated the image.

APA Examples by Use Case

Example 1: Paraphrasing AI-generated text

The primary factors contributing to urban heat islands include reduced vegetation, dark surface materials, and waste heat from buildings and vehicles (OpenAI, 2025).

Reference:

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (Jan 15 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Example 2: Quoting directly

ChatGPT’s response to the prompt “Define critical thinking” included this definition: “Critical thinking is the objective analysis of facts to form a judgment” (OpenAI, 2025).

Example 3: Including an appendix with full transcript
If you need to provide the full AI response (recommended for lengthy outputs), place it in an appendix and reference it:

When asked to outline a research methodology for studying climate change adaptation, ChatGPT provided a detailed 500-word response covering mixed-methods approaches, sampling strategies, and ethical considerations (OpenAI, 2025; see Appendix A for complete transcript).

MLA 9th Edition: Prompt-Centric Citation

The Modern Language Association (MLA) takes a distinct approach: do not treat the AI as the author. Instead, the prompt becomes the “title of source,” emphasizing that you’re citing a specific interaction rather than the tool itself. This guidance was clarified in August 2025 updates.

MLA Works Cited Entry

The MLA template uses these core elements:

"Prompt text." Tool name, Version, Company, Date generated, URL.

Key points:

  • Title of Source: The prompt you entered (in quotation marks). If the conversation included multiple prompts, you can use a general description.
  • Title of Container: The AI tool name (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.)
  • Version: Specific model version (GPT-4o, Claude 3 Opus) — this is now required in MLA 9th edition updates
  • Publisher: The company
  • Date: Day Month Year you received the response
  • Location: URL — ideally a shareable conversation link; otherwise the tool’s main URL

Example works cited entries:

"What are the major themes in Shakespeare's Hamlet?" ChatGPT, GPT-4o, OpenAI, 15 Jan 2025, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

"Analyze the economic impacts of remote work post-2020" prompt. Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Anthropic, 12 Feb 2025, https://claude.ai.

For creative works (poems, images) generated by AI:

"The Oak Tree" prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4o, OpenAI, 10 Jan 2025, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

MLA In-Text Citations

MLA uses a shortened version of the prompt (first 3-4 words) in quotation marks:

Shakespeare’s Hamlet explores themes of mortality, revenge, and madness (“What are” par. 1).

If you reference the tool in the narrative:

ChatGPT (GPT-4o) suggested that…
or
In response to “Analyze the economic impacts,” Claude 3.5 Sonnet identified three key trends…

Important: MLA no longer recommends treating AI as an author. See the MLA Style Center’s official guidance for the full rationale.

MLA Examples

Example 1: Paraphrasing

While traditional definitions of critical thinking emphasize logical reasoning, contemporary scholars incorporate creativity and emotional intelligence into the concept (“Define critical” par. 2).

Example 2: Quoting

As ChatGPT explained, “The simple definition of a thesis statement is: one or two sentences that sum up the main point of your paper” (“Define a” par. 3).

Chicago Manual of Style: Footnotes vs. Author-Date

Chicago style offers two documentation systems: Notes and Bibliography (most common in humanities) and Author-Date (common in sciences). The Chicago Manual of Style’s official FAQ (updated March 2023) provides clear guidance, recommending that AI-generated content be cited in notes rather than bibliography unless a stable, publicly accessible URL exists.

Chicago Footnote/Endnote Format

Basic note format:

1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 7, 2025, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

Or more specifically:

1. ChatGPT, response to "Explain quantum entanglement," OpenAI, March 7, 2025, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

If you edited the output:

2. Text generated by Claude, Anthropic, February 10, 2025, https://claude.ai/, edited for clarity.

Shortened note (for subsequent citations):

2. ChatGPT, "Explain quantum entanglement."

Bibliography entry: Only include if you have a publicly accessible URL (e.g., via ShareGPT or A.I. Archives). ChatGPT conversation URLs require login, so treat them as personal communications and omit from bibliography.

ChatGPT. "Explain quantum entanglement." Response to prompt, March 7, 2025. https://sharegpt.com/...

Chicago Author-Date

For author-date style, put source information in parentheses in the text:

(ChatGPT, March 7, 2025)

If you mention the tool in the narrative:

ChatGPT (March 7, 2025) explained that…

Include a reference list entry only if using a stable URL; otherwise, document in text only.

Chicago Examples

Example 1: Footnote

The concept of “sustainable urban drainage systems” was first introduced in the 1990s.¹

¹ Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, January 12, 2025, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

Example 2: In-text (author-date)

Recent advances in natural language processing have enabled more context-aware AI assistants (Claude, February 15, 2025).

Harvard Referencing: Creator-Focused Approach

Harvard style (used by many UK and international universities) follows a similar approach to APA, crediting the AI developer as the author. University of College Dublin (UCD) provides clear guidance:

Reference list format:

OpenAI ChatGPT (2025) ChatGPT response to Jane Doe, 20 October. Available at: https://chat.openai.com/share/...

If no shareable URL:

OpenAI ChatGPT (2025) ChatGPT response to Jane Doe, 20 October.

(Include full transcript in appendix and reference it: “see Appendix A”)

In-text citations:

  • Parenthetical: (OpenAI ChatGPT, 2025)
  • Narrative: OpenAI ChatGPT (2025) stated that…

For AI-generated images:

Midjourney Inc. (2025) Peacock in the style of Gustav Klimt [Digital Art]. Available at: https://cdn.midjourney.com/... (Accessed: 14 February 2025).

Citing Different AI Tools: Quick Reference Table

AI Tool Company APA Reference Example MLA Works Cited Chicago Note
ChatGPT OpenAI OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (Jan 15 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat “Prompt here.” ChatGPT, GPT-4o, OpenAI, 15 Jan 2025, URL ChatGPT, OpenAI, Jan 15, 2025, URL
Claude Anthropic Anthropic. (2025). Claude (Claude 3.5 Sonnet version) [Large language model]. https://claude.ai “Prompt here.” Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Anthropic, 12 Feb 2025, URL Claude, Anthropic, Feb 12, 2025, URL
Gemini Google Google. (2025). Gemini (Gemini 1.5 Pro version) [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com “Prompt here.” Gemini 1.5 Pro, Google, 10 Feb 2025, URL Gemini, Google, Feb 10, 2025, URL
Copilot Microsoft Microsoft. (2025). Copilot (Copilot Pro version) [Large language model]. https://copilot.microsoft.com “Prompt here.” Copilot Pro, Microsoft, 14 Feb 2025, URL Copilot, Microsoft, Feb 14, 2025, URL
Perplexity Perplexity AI Perplexity AI. (2025). Perplexity (Feb 10 version) [Large language model]. https://www.perplexity.ai “Prompt here.” Perplexity, Perplexity AI, 10 Feb 2025, URL Perplexity, Perplexity AI, Feb 10, 2025, URL

Note: Always verify the specific version displayed in your tool interface; version numbers change frequently.

Advanced Scenarios: Images, Code, and Edited Output

AI-Generated Images

AI-generated visuals require additional description and often a figure caption:

MLA format (caption approach):

Fig 1. Prompt: “A cyberpunk cityscape at night with neon lights” generated by DALL-E 3, OpenAI, February 10, 2025.

Or works cited entry:

"Cyberpunk cityscape at night." DALL-E 3, OpenAI, 10 Feb 2025, https://labs.openai.com/...

APA: Treat as software-generated content; include description if helpful:

OpenAI. (2025). DALL-E 3 (Feb 10 version) [Text-to-image model]. https://labs.openai.com/

AI-Generated Code

Cite AI-generated code the same way you cite text, but also indicate the language if needed:

The Python function for data cleaning was generated by ChatGPT:

def clean_text(text):
    return text.strip().lower()

(OpenAI, 2025)

Edited AI Output

If you substantially edit AI-generated content, note this in your citation or text:

Chicago:

¹ Text generated by Claude, Anthropic, February 10, 2025, https://claude.ai/, edited for style and content.

APA (narrative):

After editing for academic tone, the following paragraph was adapted from ChatGPT’s response (OpenAI, 2025).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Treating AI as an author in MLA: MLA explicitly says not to treat the tool as the author. Use the prompt as the title instead.
  2. Omitting the prompt: In all styles, the prompt (or a description of it) is essential because AI responses are unique per query. Without it, readers can’t reproduce or understand what exactly you’re citing.
  3. Using outdated version info: Always check the current version displayed in your tool (e.g., GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet). The landscape changes rapidly; a citation from 2023 is obsolete if you used a 2025 model.
  4. Not disclosing AI use when required: Some professors and journals require you to include an AI usage statement even if you don’t directly quote. Check your institution’s policy on [academic integrity and AI][is-buying-essays-legal] — but note that using AI with proper citation is generally acceptable, while misrepresenting it as your own work is not.
  5. Including ChatGPT conversations in bibliography (Chicago): Because ChatGPT URLs require login, Chicago treats them as personal communications. Don’t put them in bibliography unless you have a stable, public URL from a service like ShareGPT.
  6. Trusting AI-generated sources without verification: ChatGPT and Claude often “hallucinate” citations—creating fake papers, authors, or DOIs. Always verify any secondary sources provided by AI before citing them yourself. The APA Style blog warns: “Authors using ChatGPT or similar AI tools for research should consider making this scrutiny of the primary sources a standard process.”
  7. Assuming all citation styles are the same: APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard differ significantly in author attribution, URL requirements, and format. Double-check which style your discipline requires.
  8. Using the wrong URL: For ChatGPT, use https://chat.openai.com/chat (not a region-specific or login-specific URL). For Claude, use https://claude.ai/. For shareable conversation links, use the share feature if available.

Ethical Considerations Beyond Citation

Proper citation is just one part of ethical AI use. Consider these broader issues:

Verify AI-Generated Sources

A 2023 study found that ChatGPT fabricates academic references approximately 30% of the time. Never cite a source that an AI tool provides without verifying it independently. If ChatGPT says “According to a 2022 Harvard study…” find that study yourself and cite the real source.

The APA Style team specifically warns:

“Authors using ChatGPT or similar AI tools for research should consider making this scrutiny of the primary sources a standard process. If the sources are real, accurate, and relevant, it may be better to read those original sources to learn from that research and paraphrase or quote from those articles, than to use the model’s interpretation of them.”

Transparency with Instructors

Many universities now require students to disclose AI usage:

  • Include an “AI Usage Statement” in appendices
  • Describe AI assistance in methodology sections
  • Use AI disclosure forms provided by the institution

The University of Arizona’s AI guidelines emphasize that students must follow both institutional rules and citation requirements. Check your [university’s academic integrity policy] for specific mandates.

Avoiding Over-Reliance

Using AI to generate entire essays without your own analysis defeats the purpose of education. The most ethical use of AI is as a collaborative tool:

  • Brainstorming thesis statements
  • Getting feedback on structure
  • Explaining complex concepts in simpler terms
  • Generating practice questions

If you’re struggling with how to integrate AI ethically, see our guide on [Using AI Ethically in Literature Reviews] for discipline-specific strategies.

Checklist: AI Citation Process

Before submitting your paper, verify:

  • Identify every instance where AI output appears (direct quotes, paraphrases, images, code)
  • Determine required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, or discipline-specific)
  • Record exactly what prompt you used (for MLA’s title element)
  • Note the specific AI model and version (e.g., GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet) and date used
  • Find the correct URL (tool access page or shareable conversation link)
  • Format the citation according to your style guide examples
  • Include in-text/note citation wherever AI content appears
  • Add reference/works cited/bibliography entry (unless Chicago note-only without public URL)
  • Verify the citation against official style resources (links provided throughout this guide)
  • Check your university’s AI policy for additional disclosure requirements
  • Save the AI conversation transcript in an appendix or separate file (recommended for long responses)

For additional support with academic writing and AI tools, explore these resources:

Conclusion & Next Steps

Citing AI tools correctly is becoming as fundamental as citing books or journal articles. As AI adoption accelerates in academia, proper attribution demonstrates both academic integrity and sophisticated research skills. The key takeaways:

  1. Always cite AI when you incorporate its output — treat it like a conversation with a human expert that you’d need to credit.
  2. Follow your style guide — APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard all have distinct formats; don’t guess.
  3. Include the prompt, version, and date — these elements uniquely identify the AI response you’re referencing.
  4. Verify AI-generated sources — never trust citations provided by AI without independent confirmation.
  5. Disclose AI use as required — follow your institution’s policy beyond mere citation formatting.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by citation details or need help ensuring your paper meets academic standards, our professional writing team can assist. We specialize in helping students navigate complex assignments while maintaining strict academic integrity. Contact us for a consultation or explore our editing services for a final review.

Additional Official Resources