How do I cite ChatGPT & Other AI Tools in MLA Style?
Answer
As AI changes and develops, the answer to this may change or become outdated.
This is MLA’s guidance as of March 17, 2023:
- Start with the prompt, yes the full prompt, as the source title.
- ChatGPT or other generative AI should not be treated as the author according to MLA.
- Instead, place it after the prompt and include the version number or name.
- Then the name of the company that produced the tool as the publisher.
- Follow this with the date the item was produced.
- Finish with a link to the tool’s main website. As of now there is no way to create a specific link to AI generated materials.
“Prompt Text” prompt. AI Tool Name, Version Number/Name, Company Name, Date of Creation (formatted Day, Mon. Year), URL.
“Describe a rose in 2 paragraphs” prompt. ChatGPT, 25 Sept. version, OpenAI, 26 Sept. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
If you have a long prompt or multiple prompts, speak with your professor about abbreviating it or placing the full text of the prompts in an appendix.
In-text, shorten the prompt to the first 2-3 words.
(“Describe a rose”).
For more information, see MLA’s full announcement.
If you need further help, contact a librarian.