Before using content created by ChatGPT or any other generative AI tool in your assignments or research, check with your program or instructor for specific guidelines on its use.
When permitted, you must cite AI-generated content whenever you:
Quote text directly from an AI tool
Paraphrase or summarize AI-generated ideas
Use AI-created images, data, or other forms of media
Even though AI tools like ChatGPT don't qualify as traditional authors, they still require proper attribution. Refer to the appropriate citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) for how to format citations of generative AI content.
Follow these MLA guidelines when citing information created by generative AI tools:
MLA treats AI tools as non-human contributors. Cite the AI tool as a container, not as an author.
Format:
"Prompt." Name of AI Tool, Version, Company, Date of response, URL (if applicable).
Example:
“Explain the concept of Islamic finance.” ChatGPT, Mar. 2024 version, OpenAI, 19 Apr. 2025, https://chat.openai.com/.
In the body of your text, use a shortened version of the prompt in quotation marks.
Example:
Islamic finance avoids interest-based transactions and promotes risk-sharing (“Explain the concept”).
You must cite AI-generated content when you:
Use direct quotes from the AI’s response
Paraphrase or summarize the AI’s ideas
Include AI-generated data, images, or media
If you have only used the tool for idea generation or background understanding, and no content from the AI is included in your submission, then citation is typically not required.
Academic Integrity Reminder (IOU Policy)
Using AI tools to generate academic content without proper citation may be considered plagiarism under IOU’s academic integrity policy. When in doubt, cite your source and consult your instructor for clarification.
APA has not yet released official rules for citing generative AI, but its Style Blog provides practical guidance. At IOU, when using tools like ChatGPT in your work (with instructor approval), you should cite them as software, not personal communication, especially when quoting or paraphrasing their output. Be sure to include your prompt and, if the response is long, place it in an appendix.
Below are the APA formats to follow, with IOU-specific examples:
ChatGPT and similar tools are cited as software, using the APA template for software and AI models. Do not cite them as personal communications if you are quoting their output.
Format:
Author. (Year). Title of model (Version) [Description]. URL
Example:
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
Use the standard author-date format, either parenthetical or narrative.
Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2025)
Narrative citation: OpenAI (2025)
OpenAI (2025) explains that riba, or interest, is strictly prohibited in Islamic finance due to its exploitative nature and the emphasis on equitable transactions in Shariah law.
A value-based positioning strategy helps halal brands differentiate by aligning with ethical and spiritual consumer values (OpenAI, 2025).
Always credit the AI tool when using its generated content (e.g., “The following was generated by ChatGPT…”).
Treat conversations with AI as personal communication.
Indicate if the text has been edited (e.g., “edited for clarity and style”).
If the AI output is not publicly accessible, do not include it in the reference list; instead, cite it in a footnote and include the full response in an Appendix.
Use only the tool name and date.
Format:
(Tool name, Date)
Example (IOU IT Project):
(GPT-4o, August 12, 2024)
Use this for citing AI output more formally.
Text generated by [Tool name], Date, Creator/Developer, URL.
Example:
Text generated by GPT-4o, August 12, 2024, OpenAI, https://....
Text generated by [Tool name], Date, Creator/Developer, see Appendix for prompt used and output generated.
Example (IOU Islamic Studies Paper):
Text generated by ChatGPT, April 17, 2025, OpenAI, see Appendix A for full transcript and prompt.
(Only include if a public URL is available)
Format:
Note number. Text generated by [Tool name], Date, Creator/Developer, URL.
Example:
Text generated by GPT-4o, August 12, 2024, OpenAI, https://....