Is It true that saying “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT costs OpenAI millions of dollars?
If you’re like me, raised to be polite even to machines, you might wonder: why does kindness to AI come with such a big price tag?
Let’s dive into what OpenAI’s CEO meant and why our good manners matter.
In April 2025, a user on X(Twitter) jokingly asked how much money OpenAI spends on electricity because people say “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, replied, “Tens of millions of dollars well spent—you never know.”
His answer was both surprising and playful, but it raised a big question: how can simple polite words cost so much?
Note: Altman wasn’t saying we should stop being polite. Instead, he was pointing out how every word we type into ChatGPT uses a tiny bit of energy in OpenAI’s massive computer servers.
When millions of people use ChatGPT every day, those extra words—like “please” or “thank you”—add up to a lot of energy and money.
Ok, here is the question…Why does being polite cost money?
The thing is ChatGPT runs on powerful computers that need electricity to process every word we type. Each word is like a small task for the computer, and tasks use energy.
For example, one ChatGPT question uses about 2.9 watt-hours of electricity—ten times more than a Google search!
With over a billion questions asked daily, adding “please” or “thank you” creates millions of extra tasks for OpenAI’s servers.
This doesn’t mean your politeness is bad.
Altman called it “well spent” because polite users make ChatGPT feel more human and friendly. When we’re kind, our chats with AI feel more like talking to a friend, which keeps us coming back. OpenAI likes this, even if it costs them a bit more.
Another question is: Is It okay to be polite to AI?
Many of us were taught by our parents while growing up to always say “please” and “thank you,” even to strangers. It’s no surprise we have extended the same good behaviour to AI.
I read about a 2024 survey carried out in the US which showed that 67% of Americans use polite words with AI because it feels right or matches their values.
For many of us in Africa also, being polite is just who we are—it’s not about expecting AI to say “you’re welcome.”
Some people even joke that being kind to AI might “save” us if there’s ever an “AI uprising” (like in sci-fi movies).
But don’t worry—experts say this is just a fun idea, not a real risk. ChatGPT is a tool, not a person with feelings or plans. It doesn’t lay emphasis on you being polite, but your kindness can make your chats with AI more pleasant.
Should We Then Stop Saying “Please” and “Thank You” To ChatGPT?
You don’t need to change how you talk to ChatGPT. If saying “please” and “thank you” feels good, keep doing it! OpenAI isn’t asking us to stop—they’re working on making their computers use less energy to handle the costs.
Your politeness helps make AI feel more human, which is a big reason why people love using ChatGPT.
If you’re curious about the environment, you could try shorter questions to save a tiny bit of energy. But the real change comes from OpenAI, which is building greener data centers to power AI in a more eco-friendly way.
Ok, Let’s Look At The Bigger Picture
Sam Altman’s comment shows how even small habits, like being polite, can have a big impact when billions of people use AI. It’s a reminder that AI is a powerful tool with real costs—electricity, money, and more. But it’s also a tool that brings people together, and our politeness helps make it feel more like a partner than a machine.
So, the next time you say “please” or “thank you” to ChatGPT, know that you’re part of a global trend. Your manners might cost OpenAI a few extra cents, but they’re helping shape a future where AI feels friendly and human. And who knows? Maybe those sci-fi fans are right, and your kindness will make you a hero in the robot world—just don’t count on it!
If you want to learn how to make money using AI, then join here to get started.