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Acknowledging AI use

Acknowledging AI use means clearly stating when, how, and which AI tools contributed to your work. This applies when you use AI in a way that influences your submitted work, such as generating ideas, drafting content, editing, creating images, or any other purpose.

Why acknowledgement matters

    • It is a matter of academic integrity. Submitting work without disclosing AI involvement misrepresents how the work was produced. Acknowledging AI use ensures your work accurately reflects your own contribution and the role AI played in it.
    • It builds trust and transparency. Being transparent about AI use demonstrates honesty and your academic and professional judgement.
    • It protects you. Clearly acknowledging AI use can help protect you from potential allegations of academic misconduct. Undisclosed AI use, even when unintentional, can have serious consequences.
    • It develops good professional habits. In many professions, disclosing the use of AI tools is becoming an ethical expectation. Developing the habit of acknowledging AI use now will help prepare you for your future career.

A Declaration of AI-generated material identifies the extent to which an AI Tool was used. Generally, it includes a written acknowledgement that one or more AI Tools were used, and descriptions of how the information was generated (including the prompts used).

A suggested format:

I acknowledge the use of [insert AI system(s) and link] to [specify use of generative artificial intelligence]. The prompts used include [list of prompts]. The output from these prompts was used to [explain use].

Example 1

I acknowledge the use of [1] ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.com/) to [2] generate materials for background research and self-study in the drafting of this assessment. I entered the following prompts on 4 January 2026:
[3] Write a 50-word summary about the Mabo native title case. Write it in an academic style. Add references and quotations from Eddie Koiki Mabo.
[4] The output from the generative artificial intelligence was adapted and modified for the final response.

Legend: [1] AI system(s) and link; [2] specific use of generative AI; [3] prompt; [4] explanation of use.

Example 2

I acknowledge the use of [1] ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.com/) to [2] generate materials that were [4] included within my final assessment in modified form. I entered the following prompts on 4 January 2026:
[3] Write a 50 word summary about the Mabo native title case. Write it in an academic style. Add references and quotations from Eddie Koiki Mabo.

Example 3

I acknowledge the use of [1] ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.com/) [2] to refine the academic language and accuracy of my own work. On 4 January 2026, I submitted my entire essay (link to Google document here) with the instruction to [3] “Improve the academic tone and accuracy of language, including grammatical structures, punctuation and vocabulary”. [4] The output (here) was then modified further to better represent my own tone and style of writing.

Example 4

If AI was permitted to be used in your assessment, but you have chosen not to use it, the following disclosure is recommended.

No content generated by AI technologies has been used in this assessment.

You will need to check your preferred style guide for the most up to date information. The following relates to the APA format as an example.

In most cases, other readers cannot access the outcomes of your "chat" with AI tools. This means the output is considered to be unrecoverable. In APA Style papers, unrecoverable data or quotations are often recognised as personal communications, but in the case of AI-generated text, there is no human author. We treat the output as if it were from an algorithm, and credit the author of the algorithm, e.g., OpenAI. For in-text citations, follow the Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2026) or Narrative citation: OpenAI (2026) styles. In the reference list, credit the author of the algorithm, the year, then the title, the access date, and a link.

OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (GPT 5) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/

If it is possible to link directly to the record of the chat or output, you would use that as the URL.

However, it is important to note that this style is likely to change and students should check their preferred style guide for updates.

You should:

  • Provide a caption identifying that the image or media was generated using AI.
  • Cite the AI tool according to the required referencing style, if required by your discipline or subject.
  • Include an AI acknowledgement statement.

For example (APA 7):

Figure 1 Conceptual illustration of renewable energy systems.

Note. Image generated using ChatGPT (GPT 5) by OpenAI from the prompt: "Create an illustration showing solar, wind and hydroelectric power connected to a smart grid". Generated on 10 July 2026.

Reference list:

OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (GPT 5) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/

If it is possible to link directly to the record of the chat or output, you would use that as the URL.

At JCU, students may be required to complete an authorship declaration when submitting an assessment. This declaration states that you are the original author of your assessment and that you did not copy or reproduce from any other sources (including an AI) without attribution or referencing. The declaration says:

This assessment is my original work, and no part was copied/reproduced from any other person’s work or any other source (including artificial intelligence), without appropriate attribution. This original work adheres to assessment rules including group assessment. I have not submitted any part of this assessment previously (or concurrently) to, nor been awarded a grade in, any other subject or course. Academic Misconduct Procedure.