How to cite ChatGPT according to APA & MLA standards

Nowadays, ChatGPT is an integral part of our daily lives. Whether you're searching for a dinner recipe or comparing the best smartphones on the market, it's a tool that simplifies our tasks.

As a student, it's entirely reasonable to consider using it to assist in writing your thesis.

But how should you use it? Should you disclose the prompt used? And most importantly, how do you cite ChatGPT correctly?

This article answers all your questions by revealing how to cite ChatGPT according to your institution's bibliographic standards (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Summary:

1. Why is it important to acknowledge the use of AI?
2. Is ChatGPT allowed at your institution?
3. What and how should you cite when using ChatGPT?
4. How to cite ChatGPT as a source
   • Citing ChatGPT in APA Style
   • Citing ChatGPT in MLA Style
   • Citing ChatGPT in Chicago Style
   • Citing ChatGPT in Harvard Reference System
   • Citing ChatGPT in Vancouver Style
   • Citing ChatGPT in ABNT Style
   • Citing ChatGPT in IEEE Style
5. How to make sure you’re using AI responsibly in your work

1. Why is it important to acknowledge the use of AI?

A transparent and plagiarism-free approach

These days, academic assignments like dissertations, internship reports, or theses are often checked by plagiarism checkers or AI detectors.

Citing ChatGPT or any other generative AI tool helps you:

• Demonstrate transparency
• Avoid penalties
• Adopt an ethical approach that aligns with academic expectations

Therefore, it's crucial to clearly mention the use of a generative AI.

2. Is ChatGPT allowed at your institution?

First, make sure your school or university allows the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT for academic work.

More and more institutions allow—or even encourage—AI use to help students become familiar with modern tech tools.

However, some still don’t accept it.

So be sure to check:

• Your institution’s academic regulations and the plagiarism policy you probably signed at the beginning of your program

• With your professors or academic supervisor if writing your thesis, internship report, or university thesis

3. What and how should you cite when using ChatGPT?

How to use ChatGPT in your thesis or report

Generative AI can be used in many ways for academic work:

• As a research tool: to quickly get information on a topic
• As a writing prep tool: to help you structure your academic paper
• As a brainstorming assistant: to submit your ideas and get suggestions or deeper insights
• As a translation tool: to translate text with context

4. How to cite ChatGPT as a source

In your assignment, it is important to respect a specific citation style: APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard Referencing, Vancouver, ABNT, or IEEE.

So how do you cite generative AI tools?

Let’s take ChatGPT as an example—developed by OpenAI. The current public version is GPT-4, and you’re using it in 2025. The platform is accessible at https://chat.openai.com/.

Here’s a table summarizing what to include to properly cite ChatGPT:

Discover how to cite ChatGPT or any other generative AI tool according to your institution’s style guide:

5. How to make sure you’re using AI responsibly in your work

Now you have everything you need to determine whether your thesis, internship report, or dissertation meets the standards for responsible use of generative AI.

At the end of your writing process, we encourage you to review that all conditions are met to properly cite ChatGPT and ensure your work is ethical.

Using ChatGPT to help write your thesis, internship report, or academic paper is absolutely possible!

But first, make sure your institution allows it. If so, take time to understand how generative AI tools work and always double-check the information they provide.

And most importantly, you must cite the use of ChatGPT—or any other platform—according to the citation standards required by your professors or reviewers. What matters most is submitting an ethical academic paper while being transparent about the tools and methodology you used.

Good luck with your writing!

Additional sources for citing ChatGPT:

• APA Style. (2024, February 23). How to cite ChatGPT. https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt
• Université de Genève. (n.d.). Référencer selon les normes de l’Information documentaire à l’UNIGE – IAG (Version 1.2) [PDF]. https://www.unige.ch/biblio/files/4517/3444/6647/referencer_IAG_v1.2_WEB.pdf 
• Modern Language Association. (2023). How to cite generative AI. https://style.mla.org/citing-generative-ai/
• Newcastle University. (2023). Referencing AI: Style sheet [PDF]. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/mediav8/academic-skills-kit/file-downloads/Referencing%20AI%20style%20sheet.pdf
• University of Western Australia Library. (2023). Generative AI – Vancouver referencing style. https://guides.library.uwa.edu.au/vancouver/Gen_AI
• University of Michigan Library. (2024). APA style: Artificial intelligence (AI) and writing tools. https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282964&p=7040207

These articles may also interest you

• All about the MLA format to cite your sources correctly 
• APA Standards : everything you need to know to cite sources correctly
• A primary source cited by a secondary source: Should you cite them both?  

Note: This informational article was structured with the help of ChatGPT. AI-generated content was reviewed and edited to ensure accuracy and add further clarification