Using polite prompts for ChatGPT, such as “please” and “thank you,” may reflect good manners, but according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, they’re coming at a surprisingly steep price. Altman recently disclosed that these courteous additions are significantly increasing the energy demands of operating AI models, with associated electricity costs running into tens of millions of dollars annually.
The fact followed a user query on X (formerly Twitter) asking how much extra money OpenAI spends on electricity due to people including polite phrases in their prompts. Altman responded candidly: “Tens of millions of dollars well spent—you never know.” While light-hearted, his response highlights the immense energy needed to process even small, seemingly innocent words in AI conversations.
Large language models like ChatGPT require substantial computing resources to interpret and generate responses. Every word processed adds to the computational load, and when scaled globally, even polite expressions can create noticeable spikes in energy usage. Despite the added costs, Altman appeared to suggest that fostering a more human-like, respectful interaction with AI systems has its own intangible benefits.
Industry professionals have echoed this sentiment. Microsoft’s design manager, Kurtis Beavers, has emphasized that using polite language with AI not only sets a positive tone but also leads to more cooperative and respectful outputs this aligns with growing discussions around ethical and emotionally intelligent human-AI interactions.
A study by the University of California and The Washington Post found that even generating a short AI-written email consumes measurable electricity—about 0.14 kilowatt-hours, enough to power several LED bulbs for an hour. Given how often users interact with AI daily, the cumulative effect becomes substantial.
Interestingly, a 2024 U.S. survey revealed that 67% of users admitted to using polite prompts for ChatGPT and other chatbots. Most said they did so because it felt like the right thing to do, while others joked it was insurance in case AI ever gains sentience.
As AI continues to grow in influence, the debate over polite digital communication versus environmental cost becomes more relevant. For now, saying “please” and “thank you” might be expensive, but many still see it as a worthy investment in a more considerate future—even if it’s just with machines.
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