OpenAI CEO Claims Saying ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’ to ChatGPT Costs ‘Tens of Millions of Dollars’ — Here’s Why 

OpenAI CEO Claims Using Polite Language with ChatGPT Leads to High Electricity Costs

The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, recently made headlines by claiming that the simple act of using polite language like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ when interacting with ChatGPT, their language model, is costing the company millions of dollars in electricity bills. Altman defended this stance in response to a question about the impact of politeness on AI-generated electricity bills, implying that the additional words in queries consume more computational power and, consequently, more energy.

Altman highlighted the significant energy consumption required to power data centers that operate AI platforms such as ChatGPT. According to researcher Jesse Dodge, a single query in ChatGPT uses enough energy to illuminate a lightbulb for approximately 20 minutes. With millions of users engaging with these platforms daily, the cumulative electricity usage is substantial, raising concerns about the environmental impact of AI technology.

The discourse around energy consumption by AI models intensified in 2024 when Google reported a 48% increase in greenhouse gas emissions attributed to AI data center energy demands since 2019. Similarly, Microsoft, following the launch of their AI platform Copilot in 2023, noted a 29% rise in greenhouse gas emissions since 2020. Experts have expressed apprehension over the environmental consequences of the escalating energy usage associated with AI technologies.

While some critics argue that AI exacerbates existing environmental challenges like climate change, proponents emphasise the significance of respectful interactions with AI models. Microsoft’s WorkLab advocates for polite language in requests to AI models like Copilot, citing that it influences the quality of responses received. Users who approach AI platforms with courtesy are more likely to receive helpful and collaborative responses, indicating a symbiotic relationship between user etiquette and AI output.

Despite the concerns raised about energy consumption, a survey conducted in December 2024 revealed that a majority of Americans using AI exhibit polite behaviour towards AI chatbots. While 82% attributed their politeness to societal norms and values, 18% jocularly referenced fears of inciting a ‘robot uprising’ if rude to AI. This survey underscores the diverse motivations behind human-AI interactions and the evolving dynamics of digital etiquette.

As AI continues to permeate various facets of society, including customer service, entertainment, and communication, the debate over energy consumption and ethical considerations surrounding AI interactions persists. While Altman’s comments shed light on the financial implications of politeness in AI conversations, they also prompt a broader discussion on responsible AI usage, sustainability, and the evolving role of technology in everyday interactions.

Altman’s remarks not only raise questions about the cost of politeness in AI interactions but also underscore the broader implications of energy-intensive technologies on the environment and society. As the discourse around AI ethics and sustainability evolves, stakeholders in the tech industry and beyond are called to reconsider the impact of their digital interactions on the world around them.