AI-generated images are now common in assignments, research papers, slide decks, and even dissertations. The confusion usually starts with one practical concern: how do you cite an AI-generated image in APA 7 without breaking academic rules or triggering integrity issues?
The short answer is that APA 7 already gives you everything you need. You are not waiting for a special “AI image rule.” You just need to understand how APA treats images and how disclosure works when the content is created with AI.
This becomes much easier once you understand how digital tools fit into real systems and documentation practices, which is why many learners first encounter these rules through a Tech Certification that covers software use, attribution, and accountability.
How APA 7 thinks about images
APA does not start by asking where an image came from. It starts by asking how the image is used.
In APA 7, images are handled as figures. Every figure follows the same basic structure:
- A figure number in bold
- A figure title in italics using Title Case
- The image itself
- A figure note when explanation, attribution, or disclosure is needed
AI-generated images fit directly into this framework. The difference is not the structure. The difference is what you explain in the figure note.
The real issue with AI-generated images
APA 7 does not currently have a single official page titled “How to Cite AI-Generated Images.” Because of that, universities apply existing APA rules for figures and software to AI content.
One principle shows up across institutions again and again:
If a reader cannot independently retrieve the exact same image, the disclosure belongs in the figure note, not the reference list.
Once you understand that rule, most citation confusion disappears.
What to record when you create an AI image
Before formatting anything, make sure you keep a record of how the image was created. This matters for transparency and academic honesty.
At minimum, note:
- The name of the AI tool
- The company or organization behind it
- The date the image was generated
- The exact prompt used
- Any share link or output ID if one exists
The prompt is especially important. It explains the creative input and allows reviewers to understand how the image was produced.
The most common APA 7 approach
For most coursework, the expected method is figure note disclosure only.
Use this approach when:
- You generated the image yourself
- The image is not publicly retrievable
- There is no stable URL others can access
Basic format
Figure X
Short Descriptive Title in Title Case
[Image]
Note. Image created using [tool name] on [Month Day, Year] from the prompt: “Exact prompt used.”
Example
Figure 1
AI-Generated Illustration of a Lunar Research Base
[Image]
Note. Image created using Midjourney on January 16, 2026, from the prompt: “A realistic lunar research base at sunrise, wide-angle view, high detail.”
In this case, no reference list entry is required because the image cannot be independently retrieved.
When the AI tool appears in the references
Some departments, especially in technical or research-heavy programs, want the AI tool cited as software.
If this is required:
- Keep the figure note with full prompt disclosure
- Add a reference list entry for the tool itself
A typical reference pattern looks like this:
Company Name. (Year). Tool name (Version) [Software]. URL
The figure note still explains how the image was generated. The reference entry simply documents the software.
This expectation often aligns with system-level thinking taught in advanced programs, including deep tech certification tracks that emphasize reproducibility and tool documentation.
Publicly accessible AI-generated images
If the image is publicly available, the rules change slightly.
This applies when:
- The image appears in a published report or website
- There is a stable share link
- The image can be accessed by the reader
In this case:
- The figure note still discloses that the image was AI-generated and includes the prompt
- A reference list entry points to the page where the image is hosted
This follows normal APA logic. If the reader can retrieve it, it must be referenced.
Common mistakes that cause issues
Most problems do not come from using AI. They come from hiding it.
The most frequent errors include:
- Not naming the AI tool
- Omitting the prompt
- Treating the image like a stock photo
- Forgetting that figure notes must begin with “Note.”
- Avoiding disclosure instead of being transparent
Clear disclosure almost always prevents penalties.
Using APA-style citations in slides
For presentations:
- Include a short figure note directly under the image
- Place the full prompt and details in speaker notes or an appendix slide
- Keep formatting consistent across all slides
In many applied programs, clarity matters as much as formatting. This balance between rules and communication is why AI usage often gets discussed alongside decision-making and ethics in Marketing and Business Certification programs.
Final takeaway
Citing AI-generated images in APA 7 is not complicated once the logic is clear.
- AI images are treated as figures.
- Disclosure usually belongs in the figure note.
- References are only required when retrieval is possible.
- Prompts matter for transparency and integrity.
When you are unsure, disclose more rather than less. That habit keeps you aligned with APA 7 and protects you in almost every academic scenario involving AI-generated images.