AI Generated Content - ACS - Referencing Guide - Help and Support at Murdoch University

Information

The American Chemical Society Style does not include specific referencing guidelines for AI tools such as Copilot. Murdoch University recommends citation as software or personal communication depending on how it is used.

This is interim advice only and is subject to change.

How do I reference something created by generative AI?

It is recommended that references for generative AI content be based on the referencing guidance for

Personal communication - if you are using generative AI to assist with your assignment.
App/Software - when you have been specifically instructed to use generative AI in your assignment.
App/Software - if the conversation is saved, is shareable, or otherwise retrievable (use https://aiarchives.org/)

Rather than citing Generative AI as a source of information, you would, instead, be citing the use of a tool - Generative AI.

References should provide clear and accurate information for each source and should identify where they have been used in your work.

Generative AI tools such as Copilot cannot accurately cite their own sources.
Any references they provide may be false or non-existent – you should always check the original source for any references that are generated.

Format

Standard format for Citation - AI Software

Author 1; Author 2; …; Author 10; et al. Software or App Title, version or edition; Publisher: Place of Publication, Year. DOI or URL (accessed YYYY-MM-DD).

Examples

AI App/Software

1. Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365; Microsoft, 2023. https://copilot.microsoft.com/ (accessed 2024-06-10).

See the All Examples page for examples of in-text and reference list entries for specific resources such as articles, books, social media, and web pages.