There are a number of different approaches to citing artificial intelligence. At the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), the binding document is Rector's Regulation No. 7/2026, which states that AI tools may only be used as an auxiliary tool, subject to precisely defined conditions.
Where and how you may use AI:
- Only in the literature-review section: You may use AI to search for sources, suggest a text structure, check grammar, make stylistic edits, or rephrase your own text.
- Exceptions: Other uses (e.g. in the practical or methodological section) are permitted only if they have been explicitly approved by your supervisor and included in the official assignment of your thesis.
Where AI is strictly prohibited:
- It is strictly prohibited to use AI to generate your own research results, discussion, or conclusions. These sections must be entirely your own work..
How to disclose and acknowledge the use of AI in your work:
- Citation and transparency: If AI has helped you create or modify any substantive part of your text, you must disclose this in your work (a footnote explaining how the tool was used is recommended).
- Declaration of originality: If you have used AI in any way, you must include the following mandatory sentence in the introductory declaration of originality:
"I declare that I have used AI tools in accordance with the internal regulations of the university and the principles of academic integrity and ethics. Appropriate reference to the use of such tools is made in the thesis."
How to cite an AI tool in your work:
Citing AI tools is a relatively new practice, and recommendations and interpretations vary. However, according to Rector's Regulation No. 6/2026, the following rule applies:
"Outputs generated by an AI tool must be properly cited in accordance with ISO 690:2022 as an electronic source, and users must be able to demonstrate their own contribution to the resulting work."1
In the bibliography, the recommended bibliographic citation should follow this format:
Bibliographic citation:
GOOGLE. Gemini. Online. Version [insert version, e.g. 1.5 Pro / Advanced]. Mountain View: Google, 2024. Available from: https://gemini.google.com/. [cited RRRR-MM-DD]. Note: Large language model used for language proofreading and stylistic editing of the author's text.
Specific example for a reference list:
GOOGLE. Gemini. Online, generative AI. Version 3.5 Flash-lite. May 15, 2026. Available from: https://gemini.google.com/. [cited 2024-05-15]. Note: AI tool used for stylistic and grammatical editing of Chapters 2 and 3.
For consultations on literature-search strategies, methodology, or proper citation, please contact
konzultace@lib.czu.cz.
Further related internal regulations:
- Rector's Regulation No. 6/2026 (in Czech) , “Pravidla použití nástrojů s prvky umělé inteligence na České zemědělské univerzitě v Prazem”.
- Rector's Regulation No. 7/2026, “Rules for Assigning, Preparing, Submitting, Archiving and Publishing Bachelor's, Master's and Rigorous Theses at the CZU”.
- Other applicable CZU regulations concerning AI, available on the CZU intranet.
- Current recommendations issued by legal authorities in the Czech Republic and the European Union.
