Why Being Polite to ChatGPT Comes with a Hefty Price Tag

Saying 'please' and 'thank you' to ChatGPT costs millions of dollars ...

Being polite to artificial intelligence can be quite expensive. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently revealed on social media that the simple acts of saying "please" and "thank you" to ChatGPT have resulted in significant costs for the company.

Altman shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that OpenAI has spent tens of millions of dollars in electricity costs due to users showing good manners to their AI models. The CEO emphasized the value of this expenditure, stating, "Tens of millions of dollars well spent--you never know."

Importance of Politeness in Interactions with AI

Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, is known to consume a substantial amount of energy, especially during the training of models. Kurtis Beavers, a director at Microsoft Copilot's design team, highlighted the significance of using basic etiquette when engaging with AI. Beavers mentioned in a Microsoft WorkLab memo that respectful interactions with AI lead to the generation of collaborative outputs.

According to Beavers, the politeness extended to AI reflects in the professionalism, clarity, and level of detail in the inputs provided. Being polite to AI not only ensures a similar level of graciousness in return but also enhances the AI's responsiveness and overall performance.

Research on Politeness Towards AI Users

Research conducted by Future in December 2024 revealed that around 67% of AI users in the US exhibit politeness towards AI systems, compared to 71% in the UK. The study, based on a survey of over 1,000 individuals, indicated that a significant portion of users avoid politeness due to brevity, while some are courteous out of concern for potential consequences.

It is evident that common courtesy, though seemingly insignificant, contributes to OpenAI's escalating AI expenses and could impact ChatGPT users as well.

OpenAI recently announced a content partnership with The Washington Post, wherein ChatGPT will provide summaries and links to the Post's original reporting. This collaboration is part of OpenAI's broader media partnership strategy, aiming to make high-quality news more accessible through AI.

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