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Do I need to acknowledge or reference the use of generative AI?

Generally speaking, if you are using generative AI for learning, you are unlikely to need to acknowledge it. If you are using it to create material for submission (for example, as part of an assessment), you will most likely need to acknowledge and/or reference it.

Most importantly, follow the guidance of your coordinator. The flowchart below may help you to figure out what you need to do.

Text version of the flowchart

Has your coordinator specified whether you may use generative AI for submitted work?
1. No - Check with your coordinator. If your coordinator is unsure, refer to the default settings at the University of Sydney. Currently, these state that you are not permitted to use generative AI to create work for assessments.
2. Yes - Is generative AI allowed to be used in the process of producing work for submission?
  1. No - You are not permitted to use generative AI to create work for assessments.
  2. Yes - Has your coordinator provided specific instructions on how to acknowledge and/or reference the use of generative AI for submitted work?
    1. Yes - Follow the guidance provided by your coordinator.
    2. No - Refer to the guidelines below.

Acknowledging or referencing?

We refer to 'acknowledging' below as a way to describe how you have used generative AI in the process of creating a work for submission. Acknowledgement of generative AI is usually required. Always follow the guidance of your coordinator regarding how generative AI use needs to be acknowledged.

We refer to 'referencing' below as a way to bring content generated by generative AI into your work for submission, in a similar way you would reference an idea or text from a scholarly source. Referencing of generative AI tools in assessments will be locally determined by your Unit Coordinator. For publications, please refer to the guidelines as stated by individual publishers.

Principles for acknowledging generative AI

Depending on the level of generative AI use allowed, you may need to acknowledge its use differently.

For a simple use of generative AI, you might consider the following structure:

Acknowledgement:

I acknowledge the use of [AI tool or technology name and link] to generate [summary of content]

I have not used any AI tools or technologies to prepare this assessment.

Prompt:

I entered the following prompt(s): [insert prompt], [insert prompt 2].

Use:

I used the output to [insert activity]. I modified the output to [insert activity].

For example:

I acknowledge the use of <ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/)> to <refine the academic language of my own work>.

I entered the following prompts: "Compare the cytotoxic ability for mitochondrial inhibitor agents", and refined with "Search recent studies published in the last 5 years on mouse models".

I used the output to create Table 2, and modified the output with information obtained from library databases that is detailed in the discussion sections.

Monash University's LearnHQ has some other useful examples of acknowledging the use of generative AI.

For some disciplines, such as coding and engineering, Generative AI are considered as tools that supplement best practices. It may only be required to include a statement of acknowledgement consistent with the use of other tools, however please contact your Unit Coordinator to confirm these requirements.

Principles for referencing generative AI

Before you consider referencing generative AI, think about whether it is actually appropriate to do so. Generative AI is not a reliable or reproducible source of information, unlike a journal article or even webpage. Another person cannot obtain the same completion you did, even if they use the same prompt.

The University of Sydney Library has indicated introductory principles of referencing. These principles apply when you are asked to reference generative AI tools.

Referencing generally has two key elements:

an in-text marker (often referred to as an in-text citation) attributing a particular quotation, paraphrase or idea to someone else. (Note this will only be appropriate for written work).
a complete reference list giving the full details of all sources referenced in the document including:
- Author: Who created the work?
- Date: When was the work published?
- Title: What is the work called?
- Retrieval information: Where can I find the work?

The way you are required to write the in-text citation and the reference list is determined by the reference system and style you use.

The below summary are provided specifically by APA 7th and differing rules can apply for different referencing styles. It is recommended you check each individual style guides for further information.

How to reference direct quotes taken from AI-generated text using APA 7th

When including a short piece of AI-generated text

When including a longer piece of AI-generated text

Example

In the text itself, include the AI-generated text within quotation marks and include information about how this was derived. Include an in-text citation to the 'author' of the tool (the company that made the tool). For example:

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialised, “the notation that people can be characterised as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth” (OpenAI, 2023).

In your reference list, expand on the citation to include the 'author' of the tool (author), the year (date), the name of the tool & its version (title), and the URL (retrieval information). For example:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Example

When a longer response is used, this may also be included as part of an appendix. The APA style blog indicates that this should be referred to in-text if being used, as seen in the example below:

When given a follow-up prompt of “What is a more accurate representation?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that “different brain regions work together to support various cognitive processes” and “the functional specialisation of different regions can change in response to experience and environmental factors” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

The reference in the reference list would be the same:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Important considerations around referencing direct quotes

Include a comment that you have used a generative AI tool in text.
Specify what prompt you have used in quotation marks
Indicate what the response was in quotation marks
Reference the communicator (which is the company or creator of the Generative AI tool. In this case: (OpenAI, 2023) follows (communicator, year) or when written in narration, OpenAI (2023) follows communicator (year).
Be mindful of how to use generative AI responsibly.

How to reference paraphrased information obtained from a generated text using APA 7th

Normal referencing guidelines will apply. As always, you should include author, date as part of the in-text citation; and author, date, title, retrieval information in the reference list.
If you have specifically studied through the primary sources provided in the output of a generative AI tool, then those sources can be referenced directly.
If you did not thoroughly study the primary sources provided, or the sources were not provided by generative AI, then the above guidelines of including the prompt used, an in-text citation of communicator, year and a reference entry is generally required.
Consult your Unit Coordinator.
Be mindful of how to use generative AI responsibly.

Example

Using APA 7th style blog on referencing Generative AI and referencing manual; the following referencing example on a paraphrased written task may be acceptable:

Specific parts of the neural system may function cohesively to support an overarching activity (Cheung, Bartlett, Armour, Laba, Saini, 2023), however these parts can adapt to various factors that may emanate from the external influences. (OpenAI, 2023)

In the reference list for the above example:

Cheung, J. M. Y., Bartlett, D. J., Armour, C. L., Laba, T. L., & Saini, B. (2018). To drug or not to drug: A qualitative study of patients’ decision-making processes for managing insomnia. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 16(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/15402002.2016.1163702

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

For generative AI tools that have generated non-written information including digital media, code, mathematical solutions

These tools are often difficult to reference. Often only acknowledgement of AI tools are required.
Consult your Unit Coordinator.
Be mindful of how to use generative AI responsibly.

For more information

For any further enquiries on referencing beyond what is supported by your coordinator and the referencing manual, please refer to the University of Sydney Library guide on referencing, or speak to a Library staff member.