Content from Generative Artificial intelligence (Gen-AI), such as Copilot and ChatGPT is becoming widely available. Your lecturer will indicate where and when it is appropriate to use such tools in assessments.
To correctly acknowledge your use of Gen-AI software, check with your lecturer and/or Canvas for specific instructions on formatting this acknowledgement.
Refer to Section 4.3.6.3 Citing Large Language Models and Generative AI Chatbots in the ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication for more information on citing Gen-AI.
For more information on reference list format and style, see General information - basics of referencing.
ACS provides the following formats if you are required to include Gen-AI in your reference list.
1. Generative AI Tool Name Version (Description). Company/Publisher. URL (accessed [YYYY-MM-DD])
1. ChatGPT-4o (AI Chatbot). OpenAI. https://chatgpt.com/ (accessed 2025-08-28)
2. Copilot Designer (AI Image Generator). Microsoft. https://copilot.microsoft.com/ (accessed 2025-08-28)
Put a superscript number in your text to show when you are indicating use of Gen-AI. This number directs the reader to the reference list, containing information about the work you are citing.
... has been recently identified.1
If you are making a direct quotation, use quotation marks.
In response to a prompt, "What are the advantages of artificial intelligence?", ChatGPT1 identified ...
If the same source is referred to more than once within your text, repeat the number. If you are expressing ideas that have originated from more than one source, separate the numbers with commas, or use a hyphen if referring to several endnotes. A number following the full stop/period applies to the whole sentence.
...in alkyl sulphates such as sodium lauryl sulphate3,5-7 and diethyl sulphate6. Chew and Maibach3 also noted that the compounds showing promise were those in the C12 - C14 range.