Before utilizing generative AI tools for research or academic work, you should always verify that their use is acceptable. If so, you should be transparent about your use, which may include providing in-text citations and references where appropriate.
Preliminary guidance for citing ChatGPT and other generative AI tools is already available for the major citation styles. Generally, you should cite any AI-generated content, such as text, images, or data, that you incorporate into your work.
Professional societies and other publishers often have their own citation styles. When using one of these styles, check whether they offer guidance for citing generative AI content.
For coursework, consult with your instructor if citation guidelines aren't available for a particular citation style. They may suggest using the format for another type of source. Two possibilities are:
Never cite sources generated by AI tools without finding and reading those sources for yourself. Generative AI often creates citations for sources that don't actually exist. Even if the source is real, the content of that source may not described accurately.