AI chatbots like ChatGPT have many practical uses when writing a paper: They can help with brainstorming topics, formulating thesis statements, creating examples or summaries, and conducting research—they can scan the entire internet in seconds! But, as with all sources, you must credit AI/ChatGPT in MLA format.
How do you cite a chatbot in MLA? Below, we answer all your questions on citing AI in MLA format. Tools like ChatGPT can be very helpful in research papers—but only if used correctly.
How to cite AI in MLA format
AI (artificial intelligence) chatbots have recently become popular, making them a common study tool in academia. Tools that use generative AI can be a quick aid, helping with tasks such as research, summarizing texts, and brainstorming ideas.
However, no matter how you use AI in your paper, you must cite it. And the citation format depends on whether you’re using MLA, APA, or the Chicago Manual of Style. This article covers MLA format only, but we also have information on referencing AI/ChatGPT in APA and Chicago.
To cite AI/ChatGPT in MLA, use the same structure as other MLA citations. But this can be a bit tricky with AI: What do you put in the “author” field? Where does the prompt go?
You can use automated citation tools to generate the correct citations for you, or you can do it manually. Below, we explain how to reference AI in MLA format and provide some MLA citation examples you can use as a guide. But first, let’s clarify when you need to mention AI/ChatGPT in MLA.
When should you cite ChatGPT and AI in MLA?
No matter how you organize your article, it’s important to give credit to any new ideas that aren’t your own. If you’re using information from something you read or presenting evidence from another researcher, you need to say where it came from so readers can check if it’s accurate.
MLA has some specific rules for citing AI chatbots:
- When you rewrite or quote what the chatbot said.
- When you include anything (like pictures or data) that the chatbot created.
- When you use one of its tools, like translation or editing (you can mention this in a note or in the text).
MLA knows that AI isn’t perfect. It suggests acknowledging the sources used if you use AI for research, instead of citing the AI itself. However, not all AI chatbots say where they got their information. If you can’t find the original source, it’s okay to just cite the AI.
How Do You Cite a Chatbot in MLA?
MLA format includes two types of citations: full citations at the end of the article and parenthetical citations throughout the text.
How to cite AI in MLA: Full citations
Full citations in MLA follow a standard format, though not all fields are needed when citing AI. Here are the essential parts in an MLA citation, with explanations of how they apply to AI:
- Author: Not applicable for AI.
- Source title: The prompt used to generate the content, or a description if the prompt is too long.
- Container title: The name of the AI tool, such as ChatGPT.
- Version: The tool’s version (some programs list it as a date).
- Publisher: The company that developed the AI.
- Date: The date you accessed the AI, including the day, month, and year.
- Location: The URL for the tool.
When putting it all together, it should look like this:
“Example of an MLA Citation” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, June 30, 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
Make sure to pay attention to punctuation, indentation, and the use of italics, as these are consistent across all citations, regardless of the source.
Full citations are listed on the works cited page at the end of the publication. Because AI sources don’t have authors, alphabetize them by the first word in each entry, typically the prompt description.
How To Cite AI in MLA: Parenthetical Citations
MLA encourages in-text parenthetical citations, however footnotes and endnotes can still be used to provide further information. Parenthetical citations should be placed after the associated sentence, clause, or paragraph containing the cited information, but before the final punctuation mark.
Most MLA parenthetical citations include the author’s last name and page number, but AI chatbots do not. Instead, use the prompt’s description in the “Title of source” area, surrounded by quotes and no other punctuation.
( “Example of an MLA citation” )
Because these prompt descriptions can get lengthy, limit them to the first phrase. For example, if your question was “Describe the religious themes of Lord of the Rings,” the parenthetical citation would be “Describe the religious themes” simply.
Sacrifice, redemption, and the conflict between good and evil are all present in J. R. R. Tolkien’s works (“Describe the religious themes”), yet some are more prominent than others.
Remember to include the entire prompt for comprehensive citations.
How to cite ChatGPT in MLA format
To cite ChatGPT in MLA format, follow the instructions provided above. Here’s an example of an MLA citation for ChatGPT that you can use as a guide:
Full citation in the works referenced page:
“Summarize the book Thus Spoke Zarathustra” asks you to ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, June 30, 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
Parenthetical citation within the text:
(“Summarize the book”)
How to cite ChatGPT and AI in MLA: FAQs
When should you cite ChatGPT and AI in MLA?
In academic writing, you should include a citation every time you introduce a new piece of information from a source. When using AI and ChatGPT as a source, cite it whenever you mention generative text or other content. If you use tools like translation or editing, mention that in the text or as a footnote.
How do you cite a chatbot in MLA?
When citing AI chatbots, use the same citation format as you would for regular sources, but with a few changes. Since there’s no author, use the title to describe the question. The publisher is the company that made the AI, and the location is the AI’s URL.
How do you cite ChatGPT in MLA format?
On the works referenced page, a complete citation for ChatGPT in MLA format would be:
“Summarize the book Thus Spoke Zarathustra” asks you to ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, June 30, 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
