In an unexpected twist that has both amused and alarmed AI users, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that being polite to ChatGPT comes with a literal cost—millions of dollars in electricity.
What started as a casual question on X (formerly Twitter)—whether words like “please” and “thank you” waste energy—prompted a cheeky but telling response from Altman:
“Tens of millions of dollars well spent — you never know.”
Behind the humor lies a significant point: every word typed into ChatGPT adds to the processing workload, increasing the energy consumed by OpenAI’s sprawling network of servers. While AI doesn’t feel emotions or require politeness, many users adopt a courteous tone, perhaps out of habit or in hopes of receiving better answers. According to a 2024 survey, 67% of Americans are polite when engaging with AI, and 12% confessed they’re just “hedging their bets” in case of a future AI uprising.
But Altman’s response now has people rethinking how they interact with machines.
More Words, More Watts
Extra phrases like “please” and “thank you” might seem harmless, but each word adds tokens—units that AI uses to process language. More tokens mean more computing, and more computing means more electricity. With nearly 800 million users engaging weekly, the small things scale up fast.
This isn’t just a hypothetical concern. ChatGPT’s massive infrastructure requires high-performance processors, advanced cooling systems, and data centers running around the clock—each contributing to OpenAI’s environmental footprint and operational costs.
In premium versions of ChatGPT where billing is based on token usage, polite users could unknowingly be paying a little extra for their good manners.
The Human Touch Still Matters
Despite the costs, some experts defend the practice. Microsoft’s Design Director for Copilot, Kurtis Beavers, argues that polite prompts often produce more collaborative responses. Microsoft’s internal research found that AI models tend to mirror the tone of the input—so, courteous prompts yield courteous responses.
That insight has only reinforced the human habit of treating AI like a conversational partner. Some users even address ChatGPT with reverence, using phrases like “my dear assistant” or “kindly,” adding a surprising layer of social behavior to what is essentially code.
Humor, Ethics, and the Digital Footprint
The internet, of course, reacted swiftly. One X user joked, “Being polite to AI may one day save your life.” Another asked if we should now “tip” our models for good service. But others voiced concern about the environmental cost of even minor digital habits.
The discussion also opens deeper ethical questions: If polite language boosts interaction quality, should we value that more than energy efficiency? And how should AI companies balance human-like engagement with the need to reduce their carbon footprint?
Altman’s Bottom Line
Altman’s parting words on the subject were clear—despite the expense, the cost is worth it. In his view, creating natural, intuitive interactions with AI is central to OpenAI’s mission, even if it means paying a premium in electricity.
So the next time you say “please” to ChatGPT, know that it may be costing a bit more than you think—but it’s also helping to shape the future of how humans and machines connect.