Citing AI in APA

In our class, we are advocating for AI to be a collaborator rather than a replacement for our work.  But, how--and when--do you cite your interactions with AI in papers? Many of us use Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) as an online source for APA formatting. And while Perdue OWL does have a section on how to format electronic sources in a reference list, for the most up-to-date information, it's best to check out the APA website. APA has a page with example references for AI tools and AI chat. 

I also found these three APA blog posts from 2025 useful for thinking about what, why, when, and how to reference AI in papers.

• Citing generative AI in APA Style: Part 1--Reference formats
  
  
• Citing generative AI in APA Style: Part 2--AI as a search engine and AI integrated into common software
  
  
• Citing generative AI in APA Style: Part 3--Is AI "allowed" in APA Style?

As AI continues to quickly evolve, so too the rules for incorporating AI into papers must evolve. My advice: keep checking in with the APA website, do your best, and consider checking with your professor or publisher!