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MLA Citation Guide: Citing AI

Generative AI - Defined

Generative AI (artificial intelligence) refers to a specific type of artificial intelligence designed to create new content. According to The New York Times, Generative AI is "technology that creates content — including text, images, video and computer code — by identifying patterns in large quantities of training data, and then creating original material that has similar characteristics."  

Pasick, Adam. “Artificial Intelligence Glossary: Neural Networks and Other Terms Explained.” The New York Times, 27 Mar. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/article/ai-artificial-intelligence-glossary.html.

MLA Citation Examples

For a comprehensive entry on guidelines for citing generative AI in MLA style please see “How do I cite generative AI in MLA Style?” from the official MLA style website.

The following is a brief overview from the MLA Style Center's guidelines for citing ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms:

  • You should cite a generative AI tool whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate into your own work any content (whether text, image, data, or other) that was created by it.
  • You should acknowledge all functional uses of the tool (like editing your prose or translating words) in a note, your text, or another suitable location.
  • You should take care to vet the secondary sources it cites.

When you are incorporating AI-generated text in your assignments or using ideas that are generated by AI platforms such as ChatGPT in your work, you will need to follow the MLA  standardized template structure to properly credit your AI source.

MLA citation template:
"The prompt you used". AI platform, version, date of your prompt, URL.

MLA citation example:
“Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald”. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.

Citing Creative Visual Works

If you are incorporating an AI-generated image for your work, you should provide a caption and citation for the image according to the MLA 9th edition guidelines, just as you would for text.

Below is image created by DALL-E 3 using the prompt: "Create an image of a modern NYC high-rise apartment with hardwood floors, arched windows, contemporary furniture and a fireplace."

Fig. 1. A modern NYC high-rise apartment with hardwood floors, arched windows, contemporary furniture, and a fireplace. Created using DALL·E 3, OpenAI, 24 July 2025.

MLA citation template:

"Description of the prompt", followed by the AI tool, version, date created, URL.

MLA citation example:

"Create an image of a modern NYC high-rise apartment with hardwood floors, arched windows, contemporary furniture, and a fireplace." DALL-E 3, OpenAI, 24 July 2025,  https://chat.openai.com/.

Navigating AI in Interior Design Education

Ethical Use of AI Tools

In addition to citing AI-generated content and sources, it's important to assess, evaluate, and verify the information and designs produced by the AI tools. Supporting your work with additional sources or comparable case studies can help support your AI findings.

Some questions to consider when evaluating AI-generated information:

  • Is the AI-generated information accurate and up to date?
  • Can I verify the information with a trusted source (e.g., textbook, journal article)?
  • Does this AI-produced design reflect current design practices, codes, or standards?
  • Can I find a real-world example that supports or challenges this concept?

Asking yourself questions and following an assessment process will not only enhance the quality of your work but also strengthen your critical thinking skills along the way.

In addition to confirming with your instructors that you are permitted to use AI-generated content for your assignments, all students should be familiar with NYSID's AI-use policies [LINK NYSID POLICY MANUAL HERE].

AI Tools

Some commonly used generative AI tools include:

Before using these or other generative AI tools you may want to consider what each tool is most commonly used for. For example, MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion and Adobe Firefly are geared toward creating images and designs based on text prompts. Rhino AI is best for 3D modeling and design. ChatGPT generates text and is helpful for improving grammar and spelling. 

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