Does Saying ‘Please’ to ChatGPT Cost More? The Hidden Price of Politeness in AI ConversationsHow polite words like “please” and “sorry” add up to millions in costs and environmental impact—and why we still say them.Introduction: The Curious Case of Costly PolitenessHave you ever typed “please” or “thank you” when chatting with ChatGPT? It feels instinctive, doesn’t it? We’re wired to be polite, even with machines. But here’s a surprising truth: those small courtesies might be racking up millions of dollars in costs and leaving a measurable environmental footprint.This isn’t a futuristic fantasy—it’s a real issue. OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, have noted that pleasantries like “please” and “sorry” could inflate their operational costs by tens of millions annually. The reason? Extra words mean more processing, more energy, and more resources.In this article, we’ll explore the hidden costs of politeness in AI interactions—financial, environmental, and ethical—and ask: should we keep saying “please”?Why We’re Polite to AIWhy do we bother being polite to a machine that doesn’t have feelings? It’s because we humanize AI. ChatGPT’s conversational style feels so natural that we treat it like a friend or colleague. Studies show users often thank digital assistants like Siri or Alexa, and ChatGPT is no exception.This politeness isn’t just habit—it enhances user experience. It builds trust, makes AI feel approachable, and encourages adoption. OpenAI leans into this, designing systems that respond well to human-like interactions, even if it comes with a price tag.The Computational Cost of “Please” and “Sorry”ChatGPT operates on tokens—small units of text, from a single character to a full word. Every token in a prompt requires processing power, memory, and time. Polite words like “please,” “thank you,” or “sorry” add tokens to every query.Consider this:“Tell me a joke.” (~5 tokens)“Could you please tell me a joke, thank you!” (~12 tokens)That’s over double the tokens for the same task. Now scale that to billions of daily queries. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has suggested these extra tokens could cost the company tens of millions of dollars each year.The Environmental Toll of Polite AIThe financial hit is only part of the story. AI models like GPT-4 run on massive data centers that guzzle electricity and water. Every extra token increases the environmental load:Electricity: More tokens mean longer processing, which draws more power from GPUs.Cooling Water: Data centers use water to cool servers. Reports suggest ChatGPT could “consume” a 500 ml bottle of water every 20–50 queries.Carbon Emissions: Unless powered by 100% renewable energy (rare globally), every kilowatt-hour adds to the carbon footprint.In short, your polite prompt might be costing the planet a tiny bit more.Should We Ditch Politeness?With these costs in mind, should we stop saying “please” and start issuing blunt commands? Not so fast. Politeness has value:Humanizing AI: It makes users feel comfortable and fosters a connection.Encouraging Respect: Polite habits reinforce positive behavior, even in digital spaces.User Experience: Emotional engagement drives satisfaction and loyalty.OpenAI supports polite interactions, seeing them as part of creating safe, relatable AI. The cost is real, but so is the benefit.OpenAI’s Business AngleOpenAI’s subscription model, like ChatGPT Plus ($20/month in many regions), helps cover these costs. But as usage skyrockets—especially with enterprise clients—every token matters. Reducing even one token per prompt could save millions.This has sparked ideas like:Smarter prompt engineeringToken-efficient communicationEnergy-efficient AI modelsHow Users Can HelpYou don’t need to overhaul your ChatGPT habits, but small changes can make a difference:Be Concise: Short prompts often work just as well.Use Politeness Intentionally: Save “please” for when it feels meaningful.Advocate for Sustainability: Support companies using renewable energy or carbon offsets.Stay Informed: Understanding AI’s impact helps us use it responsibly.Conclusion: The Value of Human-Like AISaying “please” to ChatGPT may cost a bit extra, but it’s a small price for the humanity it brings to our interactions. While the tokens add up, so does the emotional connection. It’s not just about efficiency—it’s about building a future where AI serves us thoughtfully, and we engage with it mindfully.Next time you thank ChatGPT, know it’s not free—but it’s worth it.