Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Learning and Discovery: Citing ChatGPT.edu

This is a resource to guide users in citing ChatGPT, including free, pro, and EDU licensed versions, for commonly used scholarly style manuals. The free and pro versions are known as ChatGPT, whereas the ISMMS-licensed tool is known as ChatGPT.edu.    

Note: Citation guidance for publishing may not distinguish versions of ChatGPT. With the ISMMS-licensed ChatGPT.edu available, we want to help you make it clear which version was used.  Therefore, we provide a Mount Sinai-specific example for ChatGPT.edu in each of the styles below.

When citing ChatGPT, specify both the model (the AI behind the chatbot) and the version (ChatGPT, ChatGPT.edu), as this impacts how responses are generated. The screenshot below displays some of the models that are available through an ISMMS-licensed account.

• Specify the exact tasks ChatGPT is used for (e.g., literature summarization, data extraction).
• Establish boundaries for its use, distinguishing when human expertise is required.
• Describe how the tools is used in the Methods or comparable section. 
• Provide your prompt and any relevant text from the output.
• Note: Quoting ChatGPT text is considered similar to sharing an algorithm's output.

The AMA Manual of Style, 11th edition, provides specific guidance on using and citing artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT. According to Section 5.1.12, AI tools should not be listed as authors in scholarly works or included in the reference list. Instead, any use of AI in the creation or editing of content should be disclosed in the Acknowledgment or Methods sections. 

Section 5.2.1.1 recommends that authors include details such as: 

• The name of the AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT) 

• The version used [Note: version used should include the specific tool version and the model, e.g. ChatGPT.edu model o1]

• The manufacturer (e.g., OpenAI) 

• A description of how the AI was used in generating or editing content 

An example acknowledgment for general ChatGPT: 
"ChatGPT (OpenAI, version 4o, accessed February 10, 2025) was employed to suggest relevant search terms and possible sources for literature review, with final searches conducted manually in academic databases."

An example for ChatGPT.edu @ ISMMS:

"ChatGPT.edu (OpenAI, version 4o, accessed February 10, 2025) was employed to suggest relevant search terms and possible sources for literature review, with final searches conducted manually in academic databases."

An APA citation for ChatGPT or ChatGPT.edu should include the name of the AI research and deployment company, year (of version), title, month and day (of version), and source. 

Title should include the version and model used if multiple models are available within the product. 

Template for reference list entry:

OpenAI. (YYYY). ChatGPT.edu model GPT-4o (month and day of version). [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

For ChatGPT in general:

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT model 3.5 (Feb 10 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

For ChatGPT.edu at ISMMS:

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT.edu model GPT-4o (Feb 10 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Example of in-text citations:

• Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2025)
• Narrative citation: OpenAI (2025)

Vancouver Style editors have not yet issued official guidelines on citing generative AI. However, based on citation practices for personal communications and software, the pre-existing guidelines that align closest with AI-generated content, the following formats are recommended for citing in Vancouver style:

Citing as Personal Communications:

Personal communications, such as emails, interviews, or informal text are typically cited in-text only and not included in the reference list in Vancouver Style.

In-text citation example:

(ChatGPT.edu response, OpenAI, February 10, 2025)

or

According to ChatGPT.edu-generated response (OpenAI, February 10, 2025), [concept] is widely discussed in recent studies on [topic].

Citing as Software:

Software citation template:

#. Rightsholder. Application title. Model number [software]. [cited YYYY Mon DD]. Available from: URL.

For ChatGPT in general:

1. OpenAI. ChatGPT. Model 3.5 [software]. [cited 2025 Feb 10]. Available from: https://chat.openai.com/

For ChatGPT.edu at ISMMS:

2. OpenAI. ChatGPT.edu. Model GPT-4o [software]. [cited 2025 Feb 10]. Available from: https://chat.openai.com/