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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Topics exploring the intersection of [generative] artificial intelligence, information literacy, and critical thinking in the classroom.

Disclosing use and citing generative AI

Is disclosing use of generative AI different from citing generative AI?

Yes.

  • Disclosing use of generative AI means you are being transparent about your use of an AI tool in the process of completing your assignment. You are sharing how and why AI was used. 
    • Disclose your use of generative AI by including a disclosure statement.
    • Select the tab above for disclosure statement examples.
  • Citing generative AI means you are including information created by generative AI (e.g., images, direct quotations) in your work. A step further than disclosing use of a tool, citing means you are using output from the tool in your assignment. 
    • Cite information created by AI using APA and MLA formatting.
    • Select the tabs above for citation examples.

Check with your instructor about their expectations.

Verify with your instructor if using generative AI tools as part of your work process (brainstorming, outlining, etc.) and/or including and citing information created by AI (images, direct quotations) is permitted in class. Ask for their expectations around disclosing AI tool use and/or including AI-generated content.

This information may be in the course syllabus.

AI Usage Disclosure templates

Place your disclosure statement at the beginning or end of a document or presentation.

Template 1, general

"AI Usage Disclosure: This document was created with assistance from AI tools. The content has been reviewed and edited by a human. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact the author.”

Template 2, specific

“AI Usage Disclosure: This document [include title] was created with assistance from [specify the AI tool]. The content can be viewed here [add link] and has been reviewed and edited by [author’s full name]. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact the author."

Examples from the Chronicle of Higher Education (2024).

Template

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

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

Specific AI chat

Google. (2025, May 22). High school grammar concepts overview [Generative AI chat]. Gemini 2.5 Flash. https://g.co/gemini/share/a1306ce12929

AI tools in general

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

In-text citations
  • Parenthetical citations: (Google, 2025; OpenAI, 2025)
  • Narrative citations: Google (2025), OpenAI (2025)
Basic rules for generative AI
  • Author: The AI tool.
  • Date: Give the exact date the content was generated.
  • Title: Describe what was generated by the AI tool, followed by the type of AI tool in brackets.
  • Source: Share the Tool Name / Mode and give the stable, shareable URL for accessing the generated content.
Template

"Text of prompt or question in quotation marks" prompt. Name of AI tool,  model or version, Company Name, Date, URL of the chat.

Specific AI chat

"Describe the theme of nature in Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park" prompt. ChatGPT, model GPT-4o, OpenAI, 23 Sept. 2024, chatgpt.com/share/66f1b0a0-d704-8000-be9a-85f53c850607.

In-text citations
  • Citation in prose: According to "Describe the theme of nature"...
  • Parenthetical citation: ... ("Describe the theme of nature").
Basic rules for generative AI
  • Author: MLA does not recommend treating the AI tool as an author.
  • Title of Source: Describe what was generated by the AI tool.
  • Title of Container: Use the Title of Container element to name the AI tool, in italics (e.g., ChatGPT).
  • Version: Name the specific AI model or model version as specifically as possible.
  • Publisher: Name the company that made the tool.
  • Date: Give the date the content was generated.
  • Location: Give the stable, shareable URL for accessing the generated content (e.g., text, an image).

Privacy reminder

Pay attention to the privacy of your data. Many AI tools will incorporate and use any content you share, so be careful not to unintentionally share copyrighted materials, original work, or personal information.

Currently, the only CCC-supported generative AI tool is Microsoft 365 Copilot. There are two versions of Copilot: a free Copilot chat (similar to ChatGPT), and a paid enterprise-level Copilot.

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