OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has revealed that saying “please” and “thank you” to AI models like ChatGPT is costing the company tens of millions of dollars annually in electricity bills. While the phrases may seem harmless, the energy required to process them adds up quickly due to the immense computing power behind these systems.
Altman responded to a user on X who questioned the financial impact of courteous prompts, confirming that the cost was significant but calling it “tens of millions of dollars well spent.” He hinted that even small human touches in AI interactions are worth preserving.
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Experts agree there’s value in politeness. Microsoft’s design manager Kurtis Beavers emphasized that using respectful language shapes the tone of AI responses and encourages positive engagement. Research shows even short messages use considerable energy—one 100-word AI-generated email can consume enough electricity to power 14 LED bulbs for an hour.
A 2024 survey found that 67% of Americans are polite to AI. Some do it out of habit or principle, while others admit it’s just in case of an AI uprising. Regardless of the reason, kindness to machines may be more costly than users realize.
