Q. How do I reference generative AI (GenAI) outputs?

Generative AI cannot be credited as an author and therefore can’t be referenced.

From an ethical perspective, GenAI lacks the inherent originality of thought that distinguishes human creativity and scholarly endeavour. 

It also doesn’t attain the academic standards necessary for upholding integrity in academia. GenAI tools such as ChatGPT may exhibit limitations in understanding, evaluating, and acknowledging sources. Reading and responding to the literature in your field and developing your own understanding of it is essential.

Creating something using generative AI tools and then presenting it as your own work contravenes academic integrity and is considered unfair means. It is important that  your work is based on your own skills, learning, research, and knowledge. 

However, if you have used GenAI tools to help you produce your work, it is very important to acknowledge what tools you have used, and how you have used them.

You can do this by following the soon to be published University’s Acknowledge, Describe, Evidence guidance included in Generative AI in Assessment

You can also do this in the following ways:

• Provide a statement detailing which GenAI tool you have used when preparing your work.
• Provide a short summary to describe how you used the GenAI tool and how you adapted or developed its outputs.
• Take a screenshot of your prompts and the responses from the generative AI tool. This can be included in the body of your work, or in an appendix at the end of your work.

See the AcknowledgingGenAI page on the Library guide on Generative AI literacy.

Please note: Information about using generative AI tools will continue to be updated.