ⓘ You should always acknowledge use of AI tools even if you didn't use the AI-generated content directly. This supports academic integrity and avoids accusations of plagiarism.

In running text

The simplest approach is to describe the AI tool used, how it contributed to your work, what prompts or queries you entered, and the date you accessed it.

Template:

This work includes input from [AI tool name with link], which was used to [briefly explain how the tool was used]. The submitted prompts included: [list prompts].

Example:

I used ChatGPT to develop discussion questions for a section on how traditional financial leadership models exclude queer identities.

• How do heteronormative assumptions shape leadership theory in management education?
  
  
• Can you suggest questions exploring nonbinary perspectives in business leadership?
  
  
• How might inclusive financial policy design benefit from queer theory?

APA treats AI-generated text as algorithmic output, not as human-authored content. Therefore, the creator of the tool (e.g. OpenAI) should be listed as the author in both in-text citations and references.

Citation components

• Author: Name of the tool’s creator (e.g. OpenAI, Microsoft)
  
  

• Date: When the content was generated
  
  

• Title: Name and version of the AI tool
  
  

• Description: [Large language model] or similar, in brackets
  
  

• Publisher: Name of the tool (e.g. ChatGPT, Copilot)
  
  

• URL: Link to the tool or specific output
  
  

In-text citation

Template: (Author, Year)

Example: (OpenAI, 2025).

Reference list

Template: Author. (Year). Title of AI tool (Version) [Description]. URL

Example: OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (May 13 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/c/68232ef9-82b0-8003-99c1-04bbb44502de

Read more about how to reference AI with APA:

American Psychological Association. (2023, March 14). How to cite ChatGPT. APA Style. https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Publishing policies. https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/resources/publishing-policies

Chicago offers two citation systems: notes and bibliography (using footnotes) and author-date (using in-text citations). How you cite generative AI depends on which system you use and if your prompt is included in the text.

Citation components

• Author: The AI tool (e.g. ChatGPT or Copilot)
  
  

• Date: When the content was generated
  
  

• Publisher: Company that developed the tool (e.g. OpenAI)
  
  

• URL: Link to the tool or specific output
  
  

Chicago: Footnote system

Prompt included in the text

Template: ¹ Text generated by AI Tool Name, Developer, Date. URL

Example: ¹ Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, May 13, 2025. https://chatgpt.com/c/68232ef9-82b0-8003-99c1-04bbb44502de

Prompt included in the text

Template: ¹ Developer, AI Tool Name, response to "[insert prompt]," Date. URL

Example:¹ OpenAI, ChatGPT, response to "How does queer theory apply to leadership models?", May 13, 2025. https://chatgpt.com/c/68232ef9-82b0-8003-99c1-04bbb44502de

Footnotes reference list

ⓘ You don’t have to include a source in the reference list if it’s already fully cited in a footnote. But if you use AI heavely, it’s best to include it in the reference list for clarity.

Prompt included:

Template: AI Tool. Text generated by [AI Tool]. Date. Developer. URL

Example: ChatGPT. Text generated by ChatGPT. May 13, 2025. OpenAI. https://chat.openai.com/

Prompt not included:

Template: AI Tool. Response to “[insert prompt].” Date. Developer. URL

Example: ChatGPT. Response to “How do traditional corporate hierarchies reflect binary gender norms?” May 13, 2025. OpenAI. https://chat.openai.com/

Chicago: Author–Date System

ⓘ If you're using in-text citations, cite the AI tool similarly to other sources: include the creator, year, and provide full details in the reference list.

In-text citation

Template: (Developer, year)

Example: (OpenAI, 2025).

Author-date reference list

Template: Developer. Year. Title and version of tool [Description]. URL

Example: OpenAI. 2025. ChatGPT (May 13 version) [Large language model].
https://chatgpt.com/c/68232ef9-82b0-8003-99c1-04bbb44502de

Read more about how to reference AI with Chicago:

Chicago Manual of Style Online. “How do I cite content created or generated by artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT?” Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/data/faq/topics/Documentation/faq0422.html 

There is currently no established practice for referencing ChatGPT or other generative AI in the Harvard style. Different solutions exist, but the important part is to be consistent when referencing.

The example below follows the standard format for referencing software. 

Citation components

• Developer/Organisation: Name of the tool’s creator (e.g. OpenAI, Microsoft)
  
  

• Date: When the content was generated (e.g. 2025)
  
  

• Title: Name and version of the AI tool (e.g. ChatGPT [May 13 version])
  
  

• Place of publication: Where the organisation is based (e.g. San Francisco, CA)
  
  

• Publisher: Name of the company providing the tool (e.g. OpenAI)
  
  

• URL: Link to the tool or specific output (e.g. https://chat.openai.com)
  
  

In-text citation

Template: (Developer/Organisation, Year)

Example: (OpenAI, 2025)

Reference list

Template: Developer's Last name, First name (Year). Name of AI model, Version x.x. Place of publication: Publisher. URL/DOI

OpenAI (2023). ChatGPT, Version GPT-3.5. San Fransisco: OpenAI. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Read more about how to reference AI with Harvard:

Uppsala University Library. (2024). Cite using Harvard: Generative AI. Accessed 14 May 2025. Available at: https://libguides-en.ub.uu.se/harvard/generative-ai