How to cite AI?

Different citation styles, such as APA and MLA, have provided guidelines on how to cite generative AI (MLA style). For students, however, it may not always be appropriate to cite AI in the same manner as we do in standard research articles. Typically, a citation is used to identify the original source of information and to give credit to individuals for their work. If AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini are cited as standard websites, the purpose of the citation may not be fully realized because these tools are neither the original sources nor do they seek credit for their output.

To address this issue, it is important to rethink why we ask students to cite sources. One reason is to develop their ability to research multiple sources, compare various ideas, critique them, and present their arguments with sufficient evidence. In essence, we want students to "show their work." If this is our objective, one effective approach is to ask students to provide a record of their interactions with AI chatbots.

Both ChatGPT and Gemini, the two currently popular AI chatbots, offer a way for users to share their conversations. Users can obtain a link to their chat and share the entire conversation with others. By requesting students to share their interactions, we can gain insight into the effort they have put into their research process.

Image credits: Subodh Dahal (not AI)