Mathias Busekist
It’s costing them millions.
If you’re one of those who decides to say “thank you” to ChatGPT to keep things courteous and keep you safe in case the robots decide to take over the world. Well, you’re not alone.
However, your good manners might come with an unexpected price tag.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently sparked a conversation on X (formerly Twitter) when a user asked how much electricity is wasted when people are polite to AI. Altman responded dryly:
“Several million dollars, well spent — you never know.”
His comment, though lighthearted, highlights a growing concern over the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence.
Each AI interaction requires significant computational power, and thus, energy. According to Danish broadcaster DR, a single ChatGPT query can be up to 50 times more carbon-intensive than a standard Google search.
According to Danish broadcaster DR, a single AI query can be up to 50 times more environmentally damaging than a simple Google search.
And yet, a growing number of people are choosing to be polite to machines. A late-2024 survey found that 67% of Americans said they consciously try to use respectful language when communicating with artificial intelligence.
The reasons vary as 55% said it’s simply “the right thing to do”, whereas 12% admitted they’re hedging their bets in case of a future AI uprising.
A Washington Post study found that asking ChatGPT to write a 100-word email uses enough electricity to power 14 LED lightbulbs for an hour. Multiply that by millions of daily users, and the impact quickly becomes hard to ignore.
So next time you’re tempted to sweet-talk your chatbot, remember: good vibes are great — but they may come with a carbon cost.