In a strange twist of modern courtesy, saying “please” and “thank you” to artificial intelligence is now proving to be an expensive habit, both financially and environmentally.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, recently acknowledged that the cost of users being polite to ChatGPT is not just a charming cultural quirk but a heavy financial burden. Responding to a widely viewed post on X that asked how much politeness was costing OpenAI in electricity bills, Altman confirmed: “Tens of millions of dollars well spent – you never know.”
That viral post, now with over 5.7 million views, sparked a debate about the real-world cost of virtual manners. While it may seem like a light-hearted exchange, the underlying truth is far from trivial.
A February survey by a common publication revealed that 67% of American AI users speak to chatbots with respect. Interestingly, 18% of them said it’s a strategic move, just in case AI turns on humanity in the future. The rest simply said they’re being nice, because that’s how they’d talk to any being, machine or human.
Yet, beyond the surface-level charm lies a serious energy footprint. A Microsoft design leader pointed out that courteous language might influence how AI responds, creating a more pleasant interaction. But behind every extra word, every warm greeting or kind farewell – lies a server humming harder than before!
According to a May 2024 study by a leading energy institute, prompting ChatGPT uses ten times more electricity than a basic Google search with no AI summaries. On average, running ChatGPT eats up 1.059 billion kilowatt-hours of power each year, burning through an estimated $139.7 million in energy expenses.
And it doesn’t stop there, water is another hidden casualty. Researchers from a well-known U.S. university found that a simple 100-word AI-generated email can consume up to 1,408 milliliters of water just to keep the cooling systems operational. Even a polite “You are welcome” could use as much as 50 milliliters, the equivalent of a mouthful of drinking water.
Despite these startling numbers, OpenAI appears more than capable of absorbing the cost. Earlier this month, the AI giant raised a massive $40 billion in funding, pushing its valuation to a record-shattering $300 billion. With user numbers climbing past 500 million weekly, up from 400 million in February – the growth is relentless.
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