Library Subject Guides

Education: Using AI

Acknowledging/referencing AI in assignments

This is meant to provide examples on how to acknowledge and reference AI in assignments, should you be allowed to use them. There is no blanket policy on the use of GenAI in courses, and lecturers and course coordinators can impose additional restrictions or requirements on the use of GenAI tools. Course-specific advice takes precedence in all cases, so if in doubt, ask your lecturer/course coordinator.

These statements are meant to be used for generative AI that are used to create content such as text, translated text, images, video, code, rather than AI broadly.

If you have any questions about the use of generative AI at UC, please email genai@canterbury.ac.nz.

Acknowledging AI use


Sample Statement

I acknowledge the use of [insert AI tool(s) and link] to [specific use of generative artificial intelligence]. The prompts used include [list of prompts]. The output from these prompts was used to [explain use].

Example 1

I acknowledge the use of ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/) to generate materials for background research and self-study in the drafting of this assessment. I entered the following prompts:

  • Write a 50-word summary about the 150th year of the University of Canterbury. Write it in an academic style. Add references and quotations from Vice-Chancellor Cheryl de la Rey.

The output from the generative artificial intelligence was adapted and modified for the final response.

Example 2

I acknowledge the use of ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/) to refine the academic language and accuracy of my own work. On 4 January 2023, I submitted my entire essay with the instruction to “Improve the academic tone and accuracy of language, including grammatical structures, punctuation and vocabulary”. The output was then modified further to better represent my own tone and style of writing.

AI use declaration form

Some courses may choose to use an AI use declaration form. This will be available on your Learn page for you to fill out. You can see an example form below.

Citing GenAI tools in APA

These examples are taken from the APA Style Blog and are specifically related to how to cite ChatGPT.

The general format example is adapted from the information on the APA Style Blog page.

General Format

Name of Group. (Year). Name of tool (version name) [Type of tool]. URL

Reference

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Parenthetical citation

(OpenAI, 2023)

Narrative citation

OpenAI (2023)

Example

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialised, “the notation that people can be characterized as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth" (OpenAI, 2023).

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