ChatGPT spends ‘tens of millions of dollars’ on people saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, according to CEO Sam Altman, but he defends the cost as worthwhile. A recent survey found that 70% of users are polite when interacting with AI, a trend that has sparked debate about the environmental impact.
OpenAI’s massive servers power ChatGPT, consuming significant amounts of electricity. When users type “please” or “thank you”, these messages contribute to the energy bill, estimated at tens of millions of dollars. However, experts argue that being polite may yield better responses from the AI chatbot.
A survey by Future PLC found 70% of people are polite when interacting with AI, including ChatGPT. This etiquette can lead to more effective and reliable interactions. While being polite may not be energy-efficient, it could improve user experience.
The cost of these messages is attributed to OpenAI’s servers, which power the AI model. However, the company’s CEO believes the expense is justified by the potential benefits. The trend raises questions about whether users should prioritize politeness when interacting with ChatGPT.
Source: https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/chatgpt-spends-tens-of-millions-of-dollars-on-people-playing-please-and-thank-you-but-sam-altman-says-its-worth-it