FAQ: How do I cite an AI tool used in a database?

Citing AI Tools in Databases

Many databases now provide an AI tool that can summarize articles and provide key points. While useful, it is important to keep in mind a few things:

• AI summaries are not scholarly sources. Scholarly research relies on credible and peer-reviewed sources, so using the original content to support your research is always the best first option. 
• Each database may have different citation standards, so it's important to check.
• When in doubt, confer with your instructor to see what the expectations are for citing these tools.

There is an important distinction in when these tools should be cited, and when citation is not necessary. Here are a few guidelines:

If the AI just helped you understand an article, but you are not directly quoting from the summary, you do not cite the AI. 

However, if you use the AI generated text or ideas, quoting or relying on the summary itself, you should cite the AI tool in addition to the original source. 

Examples:

APA (7th Edition)

Reference List

Smith, J. (2023). Social media and teen mental health. Journal of Adolescent Studies, 45(2), 123-140. https://doi.org/xxxx

EBSCO Information Services. (n.d.) AI-generated article summary [Large language model]

In-text

(Smith, 2023; EBSCO Information Services, n.d.)

MLA (9th Edition)

Works Cited

Smith, John. "Social Media and Teen Mental Health." Journal of Adolescent Studies, vol. 45, no. 2, 2023, pp. 123-140

"AI-Generated Summary of 'Social Media and Teen Mental Health.'" EBSCOhost, AI tool, Accessed 19 Mar. 2026

In-text

Social media may negatively impact teen mental health (Smith 128; AI-Generated Summary)

Chicago (17th Edition)

Bibliography

Smith, John. "Social Media and Teen Mental Health." Journal of Adolescent Studies, vol. 45, no. 2, 2023: 123-140.

EBSCO Information Services. "AI-Generated Article Summary." Accessed March 19, 2026

Footnote Example

EBSCO Information Services, "AI-Generated Article Summary," accessed March 19, 2026. 

For more information on the SNHU AI policy for students and citation help with AI, check out our Citation and Artificial Intelligence page on the Citing Your Sources guide.