MLA has indicated that you should cite AI tools used in the following situations:
- You use, paraphrase, or quote content generated by an AI, whether text, image, data, or other.
- You use an AI to help write or modify your paper, such as editing or translating it.
- If you use information cited by a generative AI, include the secondary source as well.
Example Works Cited Citation
“Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
MLA gives the following guidance:
- Author: MLA does not treat Generative AI as an author. Skip this step.
- Title of Source: Include the prompt and the context of the prompt. For example:
- "[prompt]" prompt.
- "[prompt]" follow-up prompt to list sources.
- Title of Container: Name the AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT).
- Version: Use the specific version (i.e. Chapt GPT July 20 Version).
- Publisher: Company that made the tool. (i.e. OpenAI for ChatGPT)
- Date: The date the content was generated.
- Location: The URL for the tool.
Note: Some generative AI tools allow you to create a unique URL for a generated image or conversation. Be sure to include those instead of the general URL if available. Otherwise, consider including the Generative AI's response in an appendix or note.
If you have further questions, read the full MLA Style Guide entry.