Library: Citation Guide: GenAI

Generative AI

Generative AI (including ChatGPT)

The 18th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style (section 14.112) explains that if you use generative-AI content in your work (paper, sermon, post, etc.), you must:

Explain to your audience/reader, either in the body of your work or in a footnote, how you used that tool and for what purpose
Cite any and all content that the tool produced

Footnote:

#. Text generated by app name-version, app developer, date text generated, URL.

Shortened footnotes can simply cut the URL.

Example:

To understand how the internet portrays Unitarian Universalism, the author asked ChatGPT to summarize the religion. For the prompt: “How would you describe Unitarian Universalism in one sentence?” ChatGPT responded: “Unitarian Universalism is a liberal, inclusive religion that encourages a free and responsible search for truth and meaning, guided by shared values of compassion, justice, and respect for all existence.”⁴

^4. Text generated by ChatGPT-4, OpenAI, September 26, 2024, https://chatgpt.com/share/66f5d713-28cc-8003-bf39-53b18c9385e0.

If a shortened footnote for a repeat citation is necessary, you can simply cut the URL.

Such prompts are generally not included in a bibliography, but if it must, you should put the app publisher/developer in the first space (where the author traditionally goes):

App developer. Response to “Prompt.” App name version, date text generated. URL.

OpenAI. Response to “How would you describe Unitarian Universalism in one sentence?” ChatGPT 4, September 26, 2024. https://chatgpt.com/share/66f5d713-28cc-8003-bf39-53b18c9385e0.

GenAI & Plagiarism

Artificial Intelligence, like all tools, can be used for good or bad ends. It is totally acceptable to utilize AI-powered search tools or Generative AI as a sort of reference assistant to do tasks such as:

Brainstorming ideas
Finding synonyms or definitions
Summarizing large amounts of text
Finding specific data points in large pools of data
Rewriting a run-on sentence you have already written
Etc.

On the other hand, there are instances where the use of Generative AI can violate Meadville Lombard's Academic Integrity policy. As a student at Meadville Lombard Theological School, any work that you submit—whether a paper, sermon, or even something as relatively informal as a discussion post—must be your own work. Just as you cannot plagiarize someone else's words or ideas, you may not use AI to compose writing—whether a full paper, a paragraph, or an original sentence—and submit it under your own name, unless you receive the prior permission of your instructor. If you have the permission of your instructor to use GenAI for such purposes, anything composed by GenAI must be properly cited (see the box to the left for guidance). If you are tempted to use a GenAI tool to write for you because you don't think you are a good writer, schedule an appointment with a writing tutor instead! If you are tempted to use a GenAI tool to write for you to meet an assignment deadline, talk to your instructor instead! They will prefer receiving a late assignment that you actually wrote as opposed to an on-time submission written by ChatGPT.

AI, as of now, is also an imperfect research tool. Apps like ChatGPT only have access to publicly-available content, and therefore not to research that is only available behind password-protected eJournal databases. Most GenAI tools do not show their sources and cannot critically evaluate the quality of sources or authors. Therefore, GenAI is not a substitute for real critical research. If you need help with your research, you are encouraged to instead email a librarian for help!