Citing AI-Generated Content in MLA 9th Edition

The increasing use of AI-generated content in research and academic writing has raised questions about how to properly cite these sources in MLA 9th Edition. This guide provides explanations, MLA formats, styled examples, in-text citation guidance, and ethical considerations for citing AI-generated content.

General Principles:
  • Authorship: AI-generated content often lacks a human author. In such cases, use the title of the content in the citation.
  • Source Titles: Use title case for source titles, and italicize them if they are standalone works (e.g., books, reports).
  • Container Titles: Use title case for container titles (e.g., websites, databases), and do not italicize them.
  • Publication Dates: Provide the publication date or the date of last update for AI-generated content.
  • URLs and DOIs: Include a stable URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for online sources, if available.

1. Citing AI-Generated Articles and Blog Posts

Basic Format:
Title of Article. Title of Container, Day Month Year of Publication, URL.
Example:
AI-Generated Content in Academic Writing. The AI Times, 10 Feb. 2023, https://www.theaitimes.com/ai-generated-content-in-academic-writing/.
Detailed Breakdown:
  • Title of Article: The title of the AI-generated article or blog post.
  • Title of Container: The title of the website, database, or platform where the content is hosted.
  • Day Month Year of Publication: The date of publication or last update.
  • URL: A stable URL or DOI for the online source.

2. Citing AI-Generated Books and eBooks

Basic Format:
Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.
Example:
The AI-Generated Book. AI Publishing, 2022.
Detailed Breakdown:
  • Title of Book: The title of the AI-generated book or eBook.
  • Publisher: The publisher of the book or eBook.
  • Year of Publication: The year of publication.

3. Citing AI-Generated Images and Videos

Basic Format:
Title of Image or Video. Title of Container, Day Month Year of Publication, URL.
Example:
AI-Generated Image. The AI Gallery, 20 Jan. 2023, https://www.theaigallery.com/ai-generated-image/.
Detailed Breakdown:
  • Title of Image or Video: The title of the AI-generated image or video.
  • Title of Container: The title of the website, database, or platform where the content is hosted.
  • Day Month Year of Publication: The date of publication or last update.
  • URL: A stable URL or DOI for the online source.

4. In-Text Citation Guidance

Basic Format:
("Shortened Prompt Title")
Examples:
The AI-generated summary highlighted several key factors ("Describe the historical context").
Several recent studies were noted in the overview ("Summary of current research").
The AI-generated artwork presented a serene scene ("Impressionist painting of a cat").
If the Prompt is Mentioned in Your Text:
When ChatGPT was prompted to "describe the historical context of the French Revolution," it provided a detailed overview.
Important Ethical Considerations and Best Practices:
  • Transparency: Always clearly disclose your use of AI-generative tools in your academic work, typically in the text itself or in a methods note, in addition to the formal citation.
  • Authorial Responsibility: You are responsible for the accuracy, originality, and ethical implications of any content generated by AI that you include in your work. Fact-check AI-generated information carefully, as it can be incorrect, incomplete, or biased.
  • Plagiarism: Do not present AI-generated text or ideas as your own original thought. Cite it to acknowledge its origin.
  • Institutional Policies: Adhere to all guidelines provided by your instructor, academic department, university, or publisher regarding the use of AI tools. Policies can vary widely.
  • Original Thought: AI tools can be helpful for brainstorming or drafting, but the core arguments, analysis, and critical thinking in your work should be your own.
  • Bias Awareness: Be aware that AI models are trained on vast datasets and may perpetuate existing biases. Critically evaluate any AI-generated content for such biases.
  • Record Keeping: For your own records, it's wise to save the prompts you used, the full output generated by the AI, and the date of generation.