The Hidden Costs of Politeness in the Age of AI
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, even simple acts like saying “please” and “thank you” come with hidden consequences. A recent question on social media wondered how much money OpenAI has lost in electricity costs from users being polite to its AI models, specifically ChatGPT. According to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the answer is staggering—tens of millions of dollars.
This issue raises important questions about the environmental impact of AI and the habits we develop when interacting with these systems. While politeness may be a cultural norm, especially among British users, it also adds to the energy consumption of AI chatbots.
Energy Consumption of AI Systems
ChatGPT, one of the most popular AI assistants, consumes an enormous amount of energy. Every day, it uses approximately 40 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to charge 8 million smartphones. This energy demand is driven by the complex processes involved in generating content, whether it’s drafting an email, analyzing an Instagram profile, or planning a monthly budget.
But the energy usage isn’t just limited to electricity. Data centers, which power these AI systems, require vast amounts of water for cooling. It’s estimated that ChatGPT alone uses around 39.16 million gallons of water daily. That’s enough to fill 978,000 baths or flush a toilet 24 million times.
Why Does AI Require So Much Power?
Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, relies on large language models that analyze vast amounts of data from across the internet. These models are neural networks designed to learn patterns and generate content. However, this process requires immense computational power, which translates into high energy consumption.
Morten Goodwin, a professor at the University of Agder in Norway, explains that every interaction with an AI system—whether a simple “thank you” or a complex request—involves transmitting, processing, and storing data. Even basic online activities, like sending an email or using a search engine, contribute to the overall energy demand.
Environmental Impact of Online Activity
The environmental footprint of online activity is often overlooked. Dr. Daniel Farrelly, a principal lecturer in psychology at the University of Worcester, points out that all digital interactions have a carbon footprint. While individual actions may seem insignificant, their cumulative effect is substantial. Millions of searches, messages, and AI interactions occur globally each day, contributing to a significant environmental impact.
Moreover, the carbon emissions from online activity are not always visible, making it harder for people to grasp the true scale of the problem. Unlike the visible vapor trails of airplanes, the environmental cost of AI remains largely invisible.
Is Politeness Necessary When Interacting With AI?
Despite the energy costs, many users still choose to be polite to AI. However, research suggests that being courteous to AI has little impact on its performance. A study found that polite prompts have a “negligible” effect on how well AI performs.
Neil Johnson, a professor of physics at George Washington University, compared this to treating a toaster with kindness. “Are you nice to your toaster? We don’t put birthday wrapping around the bread slice to make it look nicer,” he said. Similarly, being polite to AI adds unnecessary words that can confuse the system and increase costs for both users and companies.
The Cost of Extra Words
Robert Blackwell, a senior research associate at the Alan Turing Institute, explained that AI processes text by breaking it down into smaller units called tokens. The more tokens used, the higher the cost for the companies running these models. Newer AI systems, which aim to provide more detailed and justified responses, use even more tokens, further increasing energy consumption.
The Social Implications of Politeness
While there are financial and environmental reasons to avoid excessive politeness, there are also social considerations. Research indicates that how we treat AI reflects how we treat each other. Goodwin, who is also deputy director at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research, noted that language models learn from user interactions. If people consistently show politeness, even to chatbots, it can help establish a culture of respect.
Why Do We Treat AI Like Humans?
One reason people treat AI with politeness is because of the human-like proficiency these systems exhibit. Many users find it easier to relate to AI by anthropomorphizing it—assigning human traits to non-human entities. Luise Freese, who runs the tech blog M356 Princess, suggested that pop culture, including movies like Terminator, has contributed to this perception.
“People joke and humanize these systems; it’s a coping mechanism,” she said. “But that’s where it gets tricky: these tools don’t have thoughts or feelings; they just mirror patterns.”
The Risks of Over-Reliance on AI
Despite the benefits of AI, there are risks associated with over-reliance on these systems. Some chatbots generate false information, a phenomenon known as “hallucination.” Researchers have documented cases where AI created fake health studies or provided misleading advice. Mental health professionals worry that some individuals may turn to AI for emotional support, believing it offers the same level of empathy as a human.
Ana Valdivia, a departmental research lecturer in AI at Oxford, warned that the tendency to humanize AI is not just curiosity—it’s often a result of how these technologies are marketed. “It encourages emotional dependency or misplaced trust in systems that are, at their core, mechanical,” she said.
Conclusion
As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, it’s essential to consider the broader implications of our interactions with these systems. While politeness may feel natural, it comes with real costs—financial, environmental, and even social. Understanding these impacts can help us make more informed choices about how we engage with AI and ensure that we remain mindful of its limitations.