Sam Altman Acknowledges That Being Polite with ChatGPT Is Inefficient in Terms of Computing Resources
The Cost of Politeness in AI Interactions
Chivalry and AI: A Costly Courtesy
Recent discussions surrounding the use of polite language with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have garnered attention, especially after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed an unexpected downside to this common courtesy. Engaging with AI systems by saying “please” and “thank you” might seem harmless, but it’s costing companies like OpenAI significantly. Altman noted on social media that these polite expressions, while potentially beneficial, add up to tens of millions of dollars in operational costs.
The Power of Polite Language
Despite the financial implications, there are arguments in favor of maintaining a polite tone when interacting with AI. Kurtis Beavers, a design manager at Microsoft, suggests that using respectful language can enhance the quality of responses from AI systems. According to Beavers, polite interactions set a positive tone for the outputs generated. He explains that AI systems, often likened to “prediction machines,” respond better when treated with the same respect we give to fellow humans.
The Impact of Courtesy on AI Outputs
A memo from Microsoft’s WorkLab emphasizes that AI mirrors the prompt’s professionalism and clarity. If users employ polite phrases, the AI is likely to deliver courteous and well-structured replies. A 2024 survey indicated that 67% of U.S. respondents interact kindly with their chatbots. Of those, 55% said they did so because it felt like the right thing to do, while 12% worried about potential future repercussions, like an AI uprising.
Environmental Concerns of AI Use
While the polite interaction with AI may seem trivial, the environmental impact is significant. A study published by the Washington Post, conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, examined the energy consumed by generating a simple 100-word email via AI. The research revealed that this process uses approximately 0.14 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Over the course of a year, sending one AI-generated email per week could consume 7.5 kWh, equivalent to the electricity usage of nine households in Washington, D.C., for one hour.
Daily AI Consumption and Its Ramifications
When considering the daily use of AI systems like ChatGPT, which often involves complex prompts and lengthy inquiries, the energy consumption becomes even more daunting. Estimates suggest that data centers enabling AI operations contribute about 2% of the world’s energy consumption, a figure that is predicted to rise as AI continues to infiltrate various aspects of life.
The Dilemma of AI Etiquette
This scenario presents a dilemma: while engaging courteously with health, simplicity, and structure in AI responses, it also leads to greater energy consumption and environmental costs. The rise in AI has caused an increase in resource usage, pushing us to weigh the benefits of politeness against the ecological impact of our digital interactions.
In light of these considerations, individuals may want to think critically about their use of AI chatbots. The question arises whether the few moments spent being polite to a chatbot justify the environmental consequences that follow. Given the reality of our modern world, users might find greater value in handling specific tasks themselves, perhaps choosing not to rely on AI for everything, which could ease energy consumption and foster a more responsible digital environment.
