AI Glossary Term
What does “Citations” mean?
Definition
References to source passages or documents included in a model's response to support its claims.
How Citations works
Example
A research assistant tool writes an answer and attaches numbered references to the web pages or documents each statement came from, so you can open them and check.
Why it matters
Citations make it possible to verify claims. They can still be wrong, for example by pointing to a source that does not support the statement or does not exist.
Common questions
Can citations be fake?
Yes. Models without retrieval have been known to invent references, so open and read the source.
What makes a good one?
It points to a real, relevant source and the cited passage actually supports the claim.
Do citations prove accuracy?
No. They make checking easier, but the source itself may be wrong.