Do I need to acknowledge or reference the use of generative AI?

Generally speaking, if you are using generative AI for learning, you are unlikely to need to acknowledge it. If you are using it to create material for submission (for example, as part of an assessment), you will most likely need to acknowledge and/or reference it.

Follow this flowchart to consider whether referencing use of Generative AI is required.

Text version of the flowchart

Referencing or acknowledging?

We refer to 'referencing' below as a way to bring content generated by generative AI into your work for submission, in a similar way you would reference an idea or text from a scholarly source.

We refer to 'acknowledging' below as a way to describe how you have used generative AI in the process of creating a work for submission.

Principles for referencing Generative AI

APA 7th has guidelines around referencing Generative AI. (American Psychological Association, 2023, updated February 2024). These guidelines are a good basis for acknowledging the use of Generative AI regardless of the referencing style used.

Consider the use of Generative AI output which is not a reliable or reproducible source of information, unlike a journal article or even webpage. Another person cannot obtain the same completion you did, even if they use the same prompt.

Refer to Victoria University Library referencing style guides for information regarding how to reference Generative AI.

• AGLC4
• APA 7th
• IEEE
• Oxford

For generative AI tools that have generated non-written information including digital media, code, mathematical solutions normal acknowledgement principles apply. Refer to individual referencing style guides.