Citing Generative AI Images
When providing citations for GenAI generated images in APA style, please note that the most recent APA style guide (the 7th edition) does not include information on citing generative GenAI tools.
That said, the official APA Style blog has posted best practice guidelines (please note that the post does not explicitly make reference to GenAI generated images). The two approaches based on the APA Style blog post are outlined in below:
In both scenarios, it is recommended to include both the input (i.e. the prompt) and the output (i.e. the GenAI generated image) as an appendix.
Please also note that your instructor may have specific, additional, or alternative requirements around the use of GenAI tools, so always consult your assignment or course outline before you begin.
Stable Link Provided
For GenAI tools that provide a stable link to the conversation, treat GenAI prompts and responses as a website.
Reference List
Format:
|
Author of AI tool. (Date prompt/responses created). Title of conversation. Name of AI website. URL of website conversation. |
Example:
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OpenAI. (January 23, 2025). Toronto snowstorm painting. ChatGPT. https://chatgpt.com/share/6792a9ee-7d88-8008-a573-1d3d570397af |
In-Text Citation
If using the AI-generated image in your work, start with a figure number followed by an image title. Beneath the image, include a note with details about the prompt and the source (see example below). Remember to include the full citation in your References List.
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Figure 3 Toronto snowstorm painting
Note: Image generated using the prompt "Create an image of a Toronto winter snowstorm in an impressionist painting style," by OpenAI, ChatGPT, 2025 (https://chatgpt.com/share/6792a9ee-7d88-8008-a573-1d3d570397af). |
Stable Link Not Provided
For GenAI tools that do not provide a stable link to the conversation, treat GenAI prompts and responses as software.
Reference List
Format:
|
Author of AI tool. (Year software version was released). Title of AI software tool (Version # if available) [Type of model]. Retrieval date, from URL of software tool |
Example:
|
Microsoft. (2023). Copilot for Microsoft 365 [Large multimodal model]. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://copilot.microsoft.com/ |
In-Text Citation
If using the AI-generated image in your work, start with a figure number followed by an image title. Beneath the image, include a note with details about the prompt and the source (see example below). It is good practice to include a copy of the conversation in an appendix (e.g., transcript or screenshots of conversation) and reference in the in-text citation the first time you use a quotation (e.g. "See Appendix A for the full transcript"). Remember to include the full citation in your References List.
|
Figure 3 Toronto snowstorm painting
Note: Image generated using the prompt "Create an image of a Toronto winter snowstorm in an impressionist painting style," by Microsoft, Copilot for Microsoft 365, Retrieved January 23, 2025 (https://copilot.microsoft.com/); See Appendix A for the full transcript. |
