Being polite to artificial intelligence has an unexpected cost – tens of millions of dollars for tech companies like OpenAI. CEO Sam Altman revealed that users’ good manners towards ChatGPT have resulted in significant electricity costs.
OpenAI’s experience is not unique, as generative AI models are known to consume substantial energy, particularly during training. Microsoft’s Copilot team also emphasizes the importance of basic etiquette when interacting with AI. Kurtis Beavers, a director on the design team, stated that using polite language “ensures respectful, collaborative outputs” and improves AI responsiveness.
A recent survey conducted by Future in December 2024 found that about 67% of people in the US are polite to AI, while 71% in the UK. The survey revealed that two-thirds of respondents believe being impolite due to brevity, with 12% citing fear of future consequences as a reason for politeness towards AI.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/04/22/please-thank-you-chatgpt-openai-energy-costs/83207447007