FAQ: How do I cite AI (like ChatGPT) in APA Style?

The APA recently posted Citing generative AI in APA Style This link opens in a new window in their APA Style blog. The post is informative for citing generative AI tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot, in your papers and discussion posts.

As of September 2025, APA now recommends that you cite the specific AI chat, rather than citing the AI tool only. The following examples from the APA's Style Blog This link opens in a new window demonstrate how to do that:

Citing a Specific Chat

General Format

AI Company Name. (year, month day). Title of chat in italics [Description, such as Generative AI chat]. Tool Name/Model. URL of the chat

Reference (Full) Entry

OpenAI. (2025, August 21). High school grammar concepts [Generative AI chat]. ChatGPT. https://chatgpt.com/share/68a77b60-0ee4-800c-9acc-cd3fd573c311 This link opens in a new window

In-Text Citation

(OpenAI, 2025)

OR

OpenAI (2025)

Citing an AI Tool Generally

APA allows for citing an AI tool in a general way if you want to point to its existence without citing specific content you retrieved from a chat with the tool.

General Format

AI Company Name. (year). Tool Name/Model in Italics and Title Case [Description; e.g., Large language model]. URL of the tool

Reference (Full) Entry

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/

In-Text Citation

(OpenAI, 2025)

OR

OpenAI (2025)

More Examples

• APA Style guide This link opens in a new window  (Shapiro Library)
• Academic Writer -APA (Shapiro Library Database) This link opens in a new window: The ultimate source on APA style. It contains quick guides and tutorials on APA style, tools for planning research projects, citation management, and more. 

Disclaimer

This information is intended to be a guideline. Please check with your instructor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.