The Hidden Cost Of 'Please' And 'Thank You' In ChatGPT Interactions

Think about how easy it is to say “please” and “thank you” in a conversation. We teach kids it’s good manners, and it barely takes an extra second to say those magic words. But, believe it or not, all that politeness toward ChatGPT is adding up, big time.

According to OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, every “please” and “thank you” you type to the chatbot increases OpenAI’s electricity costs. It sounds absurd: you ask nicely, it responds, and somewhere in the background, servers whirl to life, drawing more power than a curt command would.

The result? Millions of dollars are spent on extra energy every year so polite people can maintain their manners.

A recent survey in the UK found that 71 percent of people deliberately mind their Ps and Qs when chatting with ChatGPT. More than a thousand respondents told TechRadar’s Future team they’d rather be courteous than skip the niceties, even if it means their questions take a fraction longer.

Twelve percent admitted they weren’t just being polite for politeness’s sake; they worried a rude exchange might come back to haunt them. After all, Altman has said ChatGPT’s memory feature now remembers all your past conversations. The last thing you’d want is for the AI to label you as curt or impolite, right?

Being polite to ChatGPT wastes 'tens of millions' in energy, says Altman.

That said, the extra politeness is hurting OpenAI’s bottom line. On X (formerly Twitter), someone joked they’d love to calculate the cost of those extra “please” and “thank you”s.

The question blew up—thousands of retweets and over 180,000 likes. That’s when Sam Altman jumped in with a straight answer: “Tens of millions of dollars well spent—you never know.”

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What makes AI so hungry for energy? Every time ChatGPT crafts a short reply, it uses about 0.14 kWh of electricity. In everyday terms, that’s like running fourteen LED lightbulbs for an hour.

But ChatGPT isn’t replying a few times an hour; it’s firing off billions of answers daily. Multiply that tiny energy use by billions, and you quickly reach staggering figures.

Still, Altman and his team see it as a worthwhile trade-off. They argue that maintaining politeness encourages more transparent communication, which helps train the model to understand and generate better responses over time.

In other words, being courteous isn’t just about manners; it’s fueling the AI’s learning curve. And judging by how fast ChatGPT continues to improve, the extra cost might be paying off.

The Cost of Politeness

Dr. Dan Gilbert, a renowned happiness researcher, emphasizes that politeness can have unexpected ramifications in the digital age. He explains that while manners are vital for human interaction, the nuances of AI algorithms complicate this scenario. When users employ polite language like 'please' or 'thank you,' it may inadvertently signal a higher processing load to the AI, subsequently increasing operational costs.

Gilbert suggests that users could enhance their interactions by being clear and direct without compromising politeness. This balance can maintain user satisfaction while being mindful of computational efficiency.

Many people didn’t realize that saying “please” and “thank you” to the AI chatbot can incur extra fees.

Microsoft Copilot’s design director Kurtis Beavers also weighs in on the debate. He points out that AI tends to mirror the tone of its user.

If you’re friendly, the chatbot will usually match that friendliness. “Using polite language sets a tone for the response,” he says. “It’s a conversation.” In contrast, a brusque or demanding tone might invite short, clipped answers that feel more robotic.

Of course, not everyone agrees that you must be so formal with a machine. Some users skip the courtesy phrases to save time or energy, both theirs and the AI’s.

A shorter prompt can be faster to type and, theoretically, cheaper to process. But that raises a question: do we want our interactions with AI to feel transactional or conversational? If we aim for genuine dialogue, perhaps we should keep those polite habits.

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What’s clear is that, as AI becomes woven into daily life—answering homework questions, drafting emails, and brainstorming ideas—our habits matter. A simple “please” might cost a few more joules of power here and there, but it could be a small price to pay if it leads to better, more cooperative interactions.

Plus, it might help the AI remember you as someone easy to work with, rather than a user who barked orders and left.

Professionals in the tech industry often overlook the implications of user language on operational expenses. A relationship expert noted that maintaining a positive tone can still be achieved without overdoing pleasantries, especially in AI interactions. Instead of excessive politeness, concise and respectful language can lead to more efficient exchanges.

Experts recommend using straightforward requests and feedback while still expressing appreciation for the assistance. This approach not only streamlines communication but also helps reduce the hidden costs associated with overly formal interactions with AI systems.

In the evolving landscape of AI interactions, understanding the balance between politeness and efficiency is crucial. Not only does this require a shift in how we engage with technology, but it also emphasizes the need for ongoing education about effective communication strategies. Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, advocates for adaptability in our interactions—highlighting how being clear and concise can enhance both user experience and operational efficiency.

As we continue to integrate AI into our daily lives, finding this balance will not only save costs but will also improve the overall effectiveness of these tools.