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Generative AI Ethics and Ethical Use in Academic Contexts

This is a guide designed to inform students how to use generative AI tools ethically to enhance their educational journey.

When Do I Need to Cite/Document AI Use?

Understanding when and how to cite and document your use of generative AI is crucial for maintaining academic integrity. Just as you would cite a book, an article, or a website, transparency about AI's role in your work is essential.

The general rule of thumb is: If an AI tool contributed meaningfully to the content or ideas you are presenting, you likely need to acknowledge it. This includes:

  • Directly quoting or paraphrasing AI-generated text.

  • Using AI-generated images, data, or other media.

  • Incorporating significant ideas, arguments, or structures suggested by AI (even if you rephrased them entirely).

  • Using AI for brainstorming, outlining, or extensive editing that goes beyond basic grammar checks.

Always check your instructor's specific guidelines and your university's academic integrity policies first. They are the ultimate authority for your assignments.

How to Cite and Disclosure Statements

Currently, citation styles (like APA, MLA, and Chicago) are evolving their recommendations for generative AI. The key principles are transparency and providing enough information for your reader to understand how AI was used.

Here are general approaches for common citation styles, but always refer to the latest official style guide handbooks or their websites for the most up-to-date and detailed guidance.

1. General Disclosure Statement / Acknowledgment

Regardless of whether you directly cite AI-generated content, it's often good practice (and sometimes required by instructors) to include a general statement acknowledging your use of AI. This typically goes in your paper's introduction, methodology section, or acknowledgments.

  • Purpose: To provide overall transparency about how and why you used AI as a tool in your process.

  • What to include:

    • The specific AI tool(s) used (e.g., ChatGPT 4.0, Claude 2).

    • The purpose of its use (e.g., "for initial brainstorming of research questions," "to summarize complex concepts," "to improve clarity and conciseness of drafted paragraphs").

    • A statement that the final work is your own and you take full responsibility for its content.

  • Example Disclosure Statement:

    "In the development of this paper, OpenAI's ChatGPT (version consulted: [date of version], accessed [date]) was used for initial brainstorming of potential thesis statements and to generate five study questions for self-assessment. All subsequent research, critical analysis, and original writing were performed independently by the author, who takes full responsibility for the content of this work."

In-Text Citations & Reference List Entries (for direct use of AI-generated content)

When you directly quote, paraphrase, or significantly use content generated by an AI, you need an in-text citation and often a corresponding entry in your reference list (Works Cited, Bibliography).

Important Note: Because AI outputs can change with each prompt and are not publicly retrievable by others through a URL, official style guides are still refining how to treat them. Some may consider them "personal communications" (meaning they are cited in-text but not in the reference list unless publicly available), while others provide specific formats.

 

APA Style (7th Edition)

APA recommends treating generative AI models as the "author" of the content. You should describe the prompt and indicate that the content was generated by AI. Include the AI model name and version, the date of generation, and the URL if publicly available.

  • In-text citation:

    • (OpenAI, 2025) (If you're broadly referring to an AI-generated idea)

    • "When prompted with 'What are the ethical implications of AI in education?', the AI model suggested several concerns, including plagiarism and data privacy" (OpenAI, 2025).

  • Reference List Entry (Example for ChatGPT, check the specific model/version and date):

    OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (March 27 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/

    • Note: APA also suggests including the full text of your prompt and the relevant portion of the AI's response in an appendix to your paper if the AI output is central to your argument or analysis.

 

MLA Style (9th Edition)

MLA's approach often involves describing the AI interaction in your prose, including the prompt if relevant, and then citing the AI tool in your Works Cited.

  • In-text citation:

    • "When asked to describe the symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby, ChatGPT provided a summary about optimism and the unattainability of the American dream" (OpenAI).

    • ("Describe the symbolism") (If the prompt itself is part of your in-text citation).

  • Works Cited Entry (Example for ChatGPT, check the specific model/version and date):

    "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.

    • Note: MLA emphasizes including the full prompt in your Works Cited entry. If you asked multiple follow-up questions, you might need to create separate citations for each distinct exchange.

 

Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition - Notes-Bibliography System)

Chicago generally treats AI-generated text as a form of personal communication, which is typically cited in a note but not usually included in the bibliography unless it's publicly accessible. However, it recommends providing clear details in the note.

  • Footnote/Endnote:

    1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 7, 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

    2. ChatGPT, response to “Explain how to make pizza dough from common household ingredients,” OpenAI, March 7, 2023.

  • Bibliography: Generally not included unless a publicly accessible link is provided (e.g., via a ShareGPT link, if permitted by your instructor).

Key Documentation Practices

  • Save Your Conversations: If allowed to use AI, consider saving screenshots or full transcripts of your interactions. This serves as evidence of your process and allows you to accurately document prompts and responses.

  • Be Specific: When citing or documenting, be as specific as possible about the AI tool (e.g., "ChatGPT 4.0," "Claude 2.1"), the date you interacted with it, and ideally, the precise prompt you used.

  • Transparency is King: The goal is always to be transparent with your instructors and readers about how AI was incorporated into your work.

References