Artificial Intelligence (AI): Acknowledge & Reference AI
Referencing Gen AI tools and outputs
If you use a Gen AI tool, you should apply the same principles that you would when citing any other source. Read the 'an introduction to referencing at UWA' guide for more tips and information.
- You are required to cite any Gen AI produced outputs you have used in your work which includes both text and image outputs.
- Our referencing guides provide guidance on how to reference text and image outputs. Each referencing guide has examples of how to cite text and image outputs made with Gen AI (click the images below to go to the referencing guide that applies to your unit or course).
- If you are a coursework student, check your assessment instructions to see if AI use is permitted.
- Tip: When in doubt, always include a citation!
Acknowledging use of AI Tools
Academic Integrity and your use of AI
This section of our AI Guide will assist you to record and acknowledge your use of Generative AI tools and outputs throughout your studies.
When using AI tools in your assessments you will need to provide one or both of the following:
1) An acknowledgement - whenever you have used an AI tool in developing/researching your assessment
2) A citation - If directly using the AI output as part of your work you will need to cite this as you would any other source
Within a university context - be careful not to rely on AI tools to do your work - the focus is on the development of your own knowledge and expertise.
The UWA Academic Integrity Policy states your use of AI must not:
- Replace your own critical or creative thinking
- Prevent you from learning or developing your own skills.
Using AI Tools for editorial assistance, analysis and as an information source could have a negative impact on the academic integrity of your own learning.
Permission to use AI tools is determined by your Unit Coordinator. Within your Unit Outline you may come across the three different Tiers of AI Use permissible within an assessment as set out in these AI-Assessment Guidelines.
The tier chosen by your Unit Coordinator will help guide you as to the appropriate level of AI use that is allowed for each assessment in your unit.
What to record as you use Generative AI
For any AI Tools you use in support of your studies; whether as a formal part of your assessments or not, getting into the habit of noting or recording this use is good academic practice.
Keeping records of your AI use will assist you to write an acknowledgement when required for an assessment and to demonstrate how you have used AI more broadly.
When you use GenAI derived content within your written work, you will also need to cite and reference this form of use.
Details to Record:
-
The name of the AI Tool, software or technology that has been used.
-
The date or date range of a specific use or output.
-
A description of the assistance provided, whether it constituted editing or proof reading, translation or automated writing.
-
Include a description of where AI Generated content has been applied within an assignment.
-
-
Also keep a record of the different prompts and chats used and the outputs generated as your Unit Coordinator may request them.
Fig 7. Image from Cariyon based on prompt "Chat prompt record keeping system"
How to format an acknowledgement statement
This section aims to provide you with some acknowledgement exemplars, highlighting how you might use the key information you have recorded into a statement of your use of Generative AI in support of your learning and assessments.
Generally an acknowledgement statement needs to be provided at the beginning of your assessment, usually on the Title page. However, look for specific instructions from your Unit Coordinator on the form of acknowledgment required and its placement.
In this section, you will be introduced to the principles of when and how to reference AI generated text and images.
For a more detailed breakdown of how to provide these citations for AI generated content across different referencing styles, take the links out to each of our referencing styles, provided below.
Creating GenAi References in different referencing styles
Follow the image links below, out to each of the seven referencing styles used at UWA to learn how to create references for text and images generated by AI Tools.
Chicago
MLA
Gen AI Image acknowledgments
Fig 1. Image generated using Microsoft Edge's Copilot, powered by DALL·E from the prompt "create an image, that includes judges hearing a landmark case in court. in the image include the lawyers and the junior counsel".
Fig 2. Image generated using Microsoft Edge's Copilot, powered by DALL·E from the prompt "can you create an ultra realistic and cinematic image depicting a student with a laptop, surrounded by books while studying".
Fig 3. Image generated using Microsoft Edge's Copilot, powered by DALL·E from the prompt "create an image that helps to convey the Chicago referencing style. can you incorporate in the image an Chicago manual or book".
Fig 4. Image generated using Microsoft Edge's Copilot, powered by DALL·E from the prompt "create and image with a modern, clean design, that depicts a hospital room with a doctor looking at a medical chart".
Fig 5. Image generated using Microsoft Edge's Copilot, powered by DALL·E from the prompt "create an image that includes experts in the field of engineering and electronics, delivering a presentation to an engrossed audience at a conference in New York".
Fig 6. Image generated using Tinywow from the prompt "create an image that conveys an artist with a brush, painting an ultra realistic library, with the sun shining in the background".
CONTENT LICENCE
Except for logos, Canva designs, AI generated images or where otherwise indicated, content in this guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence.
Staff & Students
The University of Western Australia
PRV12169, Australian University