GenAI use in writing
What is GenAI?
Generative artificial intelligence is artificial intelligence capable of generating text, images, videos, or other data using generative models, often in response to prompts*.
Acknowledging you’ve used GenAI
When using GenAI tools such as ChatGPT or CoPilot in your writing, you need to acknowledge that you have used them. To do this, ensure to state what tools you used, how you used them, and why you used them. This helps maintain professional integrity and ensures accountability.
Here is an example of a GenAI acknowledgment:
“I acknowledge the use of Microsoft Copilot to refine the uses of OpenAthens in plain language and to make it easier to read. The prompts used included plain language; summarise; OpenAthens; libraries; information access; IP. The output from these prompts was selectively used on the Mahi definition and Overall approach sections.”
Referencing GenAI in your work
If you are adapting or paraphrasing ideas generated from GenAI in academic witing, ensure to cite the GenAI you’ve used. Auckland University have a useful tool for this: ReferenCite - Quick©ite (auckland.ac.nz). Simply select your referencing style and select “Generative AI tools” under reference type.
Here is an example of an APA 7th edition reference:
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
References created by GenAI
Some GenAI text generators will create references which are incorrect or don’t exist. If using GenAI tools to generate references, ensure to check the reference first, check for errors and check the reference is formatted correctly.
Te Papa’s Guidelines for the use of AI
Remember to carefully consider data sensitivity and privacy issues (as noted in Te Papa’s Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence) before putting information in to GenAI tools.
* Wikipedia. (2024) Generative artificial intelligence. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_artificial_intelligence.