How do I cite an AI-generated image in IEEE?

To cite an AI-generated image in IEEE (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the IEEE format for an AI-generated image citation?

The IEEE format for an AI-generated image is: [1] AI Company, “Text of your prompt,” Tool and model, Mon. Day, Year. [Online]. Available: share URL

What does the in-text citation look like for an AI-generated image in IEEE?

In IEEE, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]

How to Cite an AI-Generated Image in IEEE (standard)

Learn how to cite images made with DALL·E, Midjourney, Gemini, and other AI tools in IEEE format (standard). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

IEEE Reference List Format

Here is the standard IEEE format for citing an AI-generated image in your reference list:

[1] AI Company, “Text of your prompt,” Tool and model, Mon. Day, Year. [Online]. Available: share URL

IEEE Example for an AI-Generated Image

A complete IEEE reference for an AI-generated image, written by hand and checked against the official IEEE guidance for this source:

[1] OpenAI, “Create an expressionist-style image of two people standing on a beach looking at the ocean,” DALL-E 3, Sep. 23, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://chatgpt.com/share/66f1c3a3-3f90-8000-9750-82c57c4a6592

Matching in-text citation: Fig. 1. Two people standing on a beach looking at the ocean, generated with DALL-E 3 [1].

IEEE In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

[1]

Narrative

Fig. 1 was generated with DALL-E 3 from the prompt given in [1].

Key IEEE Formatting Rules

IEEE has no official format for AI-generated images; this entry adapts IEEE’s online-source pattern, with the prompt in the title position.
Credit the tool in the figure caption and cite the numbered reference there, as you would for any reproduced figure.
IEEE’s author guidelines name images and figures explicitly: AI-generated ones must be disclosed in the Acknowledgments with the tool identified.
Check the target journal or conference before submitting, because individual IEEE publications may set further limits on generated figures.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your AI-generated image.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the IEEE (standard) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match IEEE requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples on this page are written by hand from the style's own published guidance and checked against it, because the general CSL styles do not encode this source's rules. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

Metadata to collect

the image tool and model, such as DALL-E 3, Midjourney V7, Gemini, or Adobe Firefly
the company that makes the tool
the exact prompt, including any later refinements
the date you generated the image
a public share or gallery link to the image, if one exists
the figure number you give the image in your paper

Common metadata traps

An image needs its credit next to it, in a figure note or caption, not only in a reference list at the end.
If you edited or combined the generated image with other material, say so in the caption (CMOS 18 §3.38 uses “adapted from”), because the figure is no longer the tool’s raw output.
Image tools are often inside other products (DALL-E in ChatGPT, Imagen in Gemini, Firefly in Photoshop), so name the model that actually made the image, and remember APA’s Part 2 post needs no reference for images made with AI built into everyday software such as Canva.

Editorial sources

IEEE Reference Guide (PDF) →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an AI-generated image in IEEE?: To cite an AI-generated image in IEEE (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the IEEE format for an AI-generated image citation?: The IEEE format for an AI-generated image is: [1] AI Company, “Text of your prompt,” Tool and model, Mon. Day, Year. [Online]. Available: share URL
What does the in-text citation look like for an AI-generated image in IEEE?: In IEEE, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]