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AI Literacy & Evaluation Criteria: Module 5 of 6

Understanding how to critically evaluate AI-generated content is an essential skill in today’s digital landscape. This page provides guidance on AI literacy and introduces the SIFT method—Stop, Investigate, Find, and Trace—which helps you assess the credibility and reliability of AI outputs. With these tools, you can confidently navigate the information generated by AI while maintaining accuracy and integrity.

 

The SIFT Method

SIFT The Four Moves: Evaluating Generative AI Content Video Transcript - RTF
Stop

Pause to consider the credibility of the content generated by the Artificial Intelligence before you copy or share this information.

Ask Yourself:

  • Does this output contain relevant information for my assignment?
  • What kind of sources were retrieved by the text generator?
  • Is the information generated based on fact, opinion, other?
  • Does the information contain diverse perspectives and viewpoints?
  • How current is the information cited?
Investigate the Source

Artificial Intelligence is known to generate fictitious information. Ensure that you fact-check, or double-check the content before using it.

Ask Yourself:

  • Do you recognize any of the authors, publishers, or websites?
  • Are there citations? If yes, can you find the cited sources in library databases?
  • Can you verify the accuracy of the information?
  • Can you identify bias in the information generated by the AI, or sources represented in the text?
Find Better Coverage

Locate the best evidence on your topic by searching for additional sources on library databases and search engines.

Ask Yourself:

  • Is this the best information available on my topic?
  • Can I locate sources that are more current than those generated by AI?
  • Can I search for similar ideas or related topics in other peer-reviewed journals?
Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media to the Original Context

Instead of relying on Artificial Intelligence to provide you with the full picture, track down the source and then review the content to determine if the information is suitable for your assignment.

Ask Yourself:

  • Can I access the books, articles, websites, and other sources cited by the AI?
  • Is the data, facts, and details generated for me accurately represented?

Additional Resources

Attributions

Information on this page was adapted, with permission from "Evaluating GenAI Content - opens in a new tab" by Seneca Polytechnic Libraries. Along with information from "Evaluate AI Generated Content- opens in a new tab" by Sheridan Library & Learning Services.

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Citing Generative AI

Before using generative AI in your assignments, always check with your instructor to ensure it’s allowed, as unauthorized use can be considered an academic integrity concern. If you choose to include AI-generated content, be sure to cite it both in text and in your reference/ works cited list; you might also consider attaching the generated text in an appendix since it’s not directly accessible to readers. For AI tools used in idea generation, translation, or drafting outlines, add a statement in your assignment explaining how you used AI to promote transparency. Lastly, remember that AI-generated content can sometimes be biased or incorrect, so carefully evaluate any information before including it in your work.

Citing Using APA (7th Edition)

Note: If you're using generative AI tools for coursework, include a description of how you used the tool within your work. For example, you can describe in your introduction how you used the AI tool to generate an outline for your presentation. When citing AI-generated text, remember to include both in-text and references list citations. For more information, see APA Style's How to cite ChatGPT and similar AI tools.- opens in a new window

Reference List Citation

Format:

Developer. (Version Year). Name of generative AI tool (Version number) [Type of AI Model]. Hyperlinked URL of tool

Example:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 23 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com
In-Text Citation

Remember to include the prompt you used whenever you quote or paraphrase text generated by an AI tool. Since your reader can't access the exact AI-generated text, you may also consider including a copy of the text as an appendix or as part of supplemental materials. If you are including a copy of the generated text, you may refer to it in the body of your text, or as part of the in-text citation such as in the example below.

Format

Intro to prompt "shortened text of prompt" explain how the AI responded. (Developer, Version Year)

Examples:

  • Given the prompt "What are large language models?" the text generated by Microsoft Copilot described them as "computational models notable for their ability to achieve general-purpose language generation and other natural language processing tasks" (Microsoft, 2024).
  • When provided with a follow up prompt of "What are examples of large language models?," Copilot listed OpenAI's GPT-3 and Google's BERT as examples (Microsoft, 2024; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Note: If you're using AI image or video generating tools for coursework, explain your methodology of how you used the AI tool in your paper. To create the reference, follow the principles outlined in APA Style's blogpost: How to cite ChatGPT.- opens in a new window to determine the author, date, title, and source elements for the software. Whether to include the AI-generated images or videos as figures, appendices, or supplemental materials would be a decision to discuss with your instructor.

Reference List Citation

Format:

Developer's Name. (Version Year). Name if AI tool (Version number [Type of AI model]. Hyperlinked URL of tool

Example:

OpenAI. (2023). DALL-E (Version 2) [Large language model]. https://labs.openai.com/
Reproducing the image in your work

If you are inserting the AI-generated image in your coursework, start with a figure number followed by an image title. Beneath the image, include a note with details about the prompt and the source (see example below). Remember to include the full citation in your References List.

Example: citing AI-generated images as a figures


Figure 3

Example of an AI-generated image

Generated image of two puppies playing by the sea in the style of Renoir

Note: Image generated using the prompt "Two puppies playing by the sea in the style of Renoir," by OpenAI, DALL-E, 2023 (https://labs.openai.com- opens in a new window).

Citing Using MLA (9th Edition)

Note: When citing AI-generated text, remember to include both in-text and works cited list citations. For more information, see MLA Style Center's How do I cite generative AI in MLA style?- opens in a new window

Works Cited List Citation

Format:

"Text of prompt" prompt. Name of AI Tool, version number if known, Name of company that made the tool, Day Month Year content was generated, Hyperlinked URL of Tool.

Example:

"What is generative AI? Explain it like I'm 5" prompt. ChatGPT, Mar 14 version, OpenAI, 21 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
In-Text Citation

Format:

("Shortened text of prompt")

Example:

  • ("What is generative AI?")

Note: For more information, see MLA Style Center's How do I cite generative AI in MLA style?- opens in a new window

Works Cited List Citation

Format:

"Text of prompt" prompt. Name of AI Tool, version number if known, Name of company that made the tool, Day Month Year content was generated, Hyperlinked URL of Tool.

Example:

"Two puppies playing by the sea in the style of Renoir" prompt. DALL-E, version 2, OpenAI, 21 Mar. 2023, labs.openai.com/.
Reproducing the image in your work

If you are inserting the AI-generated image in your coursework, follow the format below. Remember to include the full citation in your Works Cited List if you are also referring to the image in your text.


Example:

Generated image of two puppies playing by the sea in the style of Renoir

Fig 3: "Two puppies playing by the sea in the style of Renoir" prompt, DALL-E, version 2, OpenAI, 21 Mar. 2023, https://labs.openai.com- opens in a new window.

Acknowledging the Use of AI-Generated Content

Disclosure Statements

When using generative AI tools, it's important to include clear disclosure statements to inform your audience about the AI’s role in content creation. Unlike citations, which specifically credit the source of information, disclosure statements provide transparency about how AI has been used—whether it's for generating ideas, drafting content, or providing assistance. This distinction helps maintain ethical standards and fosters trust, ensuring that your audience understands when and how AI has contributed to the material.

There are many different ways to present disclosure statements, depending on how AI was used and the requirements of your institution. Whether brief or detailed, the important thing is that they clearly explain how AI contributed to your work, ensuring transparency and academic integrity. When in doubt, always consult your instructor about their expectations.

Recommended Format

tool, purpose, prompt

Example:

  • Microsoft's Copilot was used to generate ideas for this assignment using the following prompt: "[prompt]".
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  • Last Updated: Dec 4, 2024 2:00 PM
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