OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has revealed that words like “please” and “thank you” are quietly racking up millions in electricity costs. Responding to a user on X, Altman admitted these polite prompts cost “tens of millions of dollars” annually due to the energy demands of processing extra text.
Despite the price tag, Altman called it “money well spent,” appreciating the human touch it adds to AI interactions.
Also Read: College Students Get Free Access to ChatGPT Plus in May
Microsoft’s design manager, Kurtis Beavers, backed this up, saying polite language “sets the tone” for more respectful responses.
With AI models using substantial computing power, even minor habits can have big energy footprints—especially when scaled globally.
Still, a recent survey found 67% of Americans are polite to chatbots. And 12% confessed they do it just in case of a future “AI uprising.”
