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AI Citation Guide

The following guide is a general overview of how to cite the use of generative AI

General Disclaimer

As of August 2024, USC does not have an official policy on using generative AI for assignments. Currently, the library recommends that students learn about and use these citation methods to accurately cite AI usage. Please check with your professor or department regarding their stance on using AI as a tool/resource.

AI FAQ's

Q: Do I need to use a hanging indent for an AI citation?

  • Answer: Follow the original style you are following. But typically, yes.

Q: Am I allowed to use AI on this assignment?

  • Answer: Check with your professor. Each professor and department have different standards.

Tips and Tricks

  • Cite AI usage when using to edit or if content is formed by generative AI
    • Citing is unnecessary if used to brainstorm ideas
  • When using AI language models to find resources, make sure the journal article or website is accessible to you
  • Continue evaluating the sources you find via AI since not all of the suggestions might be relevant for your assignment
  • Keep in mind that AI scrapes data from the internet up until a certain point in time, so the information you receive might be out of date or untraceable (aka hallucinations)

Student Conduct and Academic Integrity

If you have more questions regarding how to use AI in accordance to the USC honor code, check out the following link