AI Acknowledgement

How to reference AI tools

Reference AI when you quote it or use what it produced. Use your course's style, and also write an acknowledgement if your university asks for one. The two do different jobs.

APA 7

Goes in your reference list. In the text, cite it as (Developer, Year).

  • OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (GPT-5) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
  • Anthropic. (2026). Claude (Claude Sonnet 4.5) [Large language model]. https://claude.ai
  • Google. (2026). Gemini (2.5 Pro) [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com

Source: APA Style blog: How to cite ChatGPT

MLA 9

Goes in your Works Cited list. MLA puts your prompt at the start of the entry.

  • “Explain the main causes of urban heat islands” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-5 version, OpenAI, 9 Oct. 2026, chatgpt.com.
  • “Explain the main causes of urban heat islands” prompt. Claude, Claude Sonnet 4.5 version, Anthropic, 9 Oct. 2026, claude.ai.
  • “Explain the main causes of urban heat islands” prompt. Gemini, 2.5 Pro version, Google, 9 Oct. 2026, gemini.google.com.

Source: MLA Style Center: citing generative AI

Chicago (notes)

Chicago suggests a footnote rather than a bibliography entry.

  • 1. ChatGPT, response to “Explain the main causes of urban heat islands,” OpenAI, October 9, 2026, https://chatgpt.com.
  • 1. Claude, response to “Explain the main causes of urban heat islands,” Anthropic, October 9, 2026, https://claude.ai.
  • 1. Gemini, response to “Explain the main causes of urban heat islands,” Google, October 9, 2026, https://gemini.google.com.

Source: Chicago Manual of Style Q&A

AGLC4

A footnote, then list it under 'Other' in your bibliography.

  • Output from ChatGPT, OpenAI to Alex Chen, 9 October 2026.
  • Output from Claude, Anthropic to Alex Chen, 9 October 2026.
  • Output from Gemini, Google to Alex Chen, 9 October 2026.

Source: AGLC4 rule 7.12, as explained by UTS and Macquarie

Harvard

Harvard has no single rulebook, and Australian universities don't agree on AI. ANU, for example, treats AI output as a personal communication with no reference list entry. Two universities that do publish a format:

  • OpenAI. 2026, ChatGPT [Large language model], Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://chatgpt.com.

    UNSW

  • OpenAI 2026, ChatGPT (version GPT-5), large language model, https://chatgpt.com

    CDU

For anywhere else, check your library's Harvard guide before you hand in.

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