Is being polite to AI harming the environment? Recent claims suggest that our endless “please” and “thank you” messages to chatbots may have a surprising energy impact. If your mother’s lessons in good manners end up melting the ice caps, don’t blame yourself just yet — blame the servers.
The internet is buzzing with the idea that Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, has hinted that every polite interaction with ChatGPT might contribute to rising electricity bills. Yes, you read that right: digital courtesy could become the next climate debate.
Let’s pause to appreciate the irony. For decades, parents have fought to get their kids to say “please.” Now, every time you thank a chatbot for explaining quantum physics like a pirate, a server somewhere has to work overtime — and a polar bear loses another square foot of ice.
Politeness to AI: Climate Savior or Secret Energy Sinner?
Of course, this isn’t just about manners. Every interaction with AI — whether you’re asking for a recipe, a meme, or emotional reassurance — requires a small army of GPUs to spring into action. Multiply that by millions of users, and suddenly our politeness to AI carries a measurable environmental cost.
This is exactly the dilemma we explore in Artificial Stupelligence, CHAPTER 15: AI AND THE ENVIRONMENT: CAN ALGORITHMS SAVE THE PLANET? In that chapter, we ask the hard questions: Can AI help us combat climate change, or will it accelerate the problem by demanding more energy than a Las Vegas casino on New Year’s Eve? Will our future be one of green algorithms and sustainable data centers — or will we be forced to choose between talking to our AI therapist and running the air conditioner?
The Real Energy Problem: AI Politeness Is Not the Culprit
Let’s be honest — blaming “please” and “thank you” for AI’s energy appetite is like blaming sprinkles for the calories in a triple-chocolate sundae. The real problem isn’t our polite phrases; it’s that LLMs today are about as energy-efficient as a Victorian mansion with the windows open in January.
Sure, those extra words add a little processing time, but unless you’re composing a 10,000-word sonnet to your chatbot, the planet can handle your gratitude. The focus should be on creating more energy-efficient AI systems — not turning all of us into grumpy, impolite netizens.
After all, if we can’t even be polite to our future robot overlords, how do we expect to survive when the machines finally unionize?
Final Thoughts: Keep Saying “Please” — Just Maybe Invest in Solar Panels
So, should you stop being polite to ChatGPT? Only if you want to risk being labeled “rude” by the algorithms that will one day write your performance reviews. In the meantime, the real challenge is building AI that’s both smart and sustainable.
If that means investing in a few more wind turbines to power our collective good manners, so be it. Being polite never felt so rebellious — or so eco-friendly.
FAQ
Does saying “please” to ChatGPT really increase energy use?
Not individually. Each polite interaction adds a tiny amount of processing time, but the collective effect at scale can increase server energy demands.
Should I stop being polite to AI?
No! Good manners are part of positive digital culture. The focus should be on making AI more energy-efficient, not less polite.
How can AI be made greener?
By designing more efficient algorithms, using renewable energy-powered data centers, and optimizing infrastructure for minimal environmental impact.
Source: International Business Times
