In a revelation that’s both amusing and eye-opening, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed that saying thank you to ChatGPT is more costly than most users realize. According to Altman, polite exchanges such as “please” and “thank you” are contributing to tens of millions of dollars in electricity expenses each year for the company.
The surprising disclosure came during a conversation on X (formerly Twitter), when a user questioned the financial impact of polite AI interactions. Altman’s response? “Tens of millions of dollars well spent.”
Why Saying Thank You to ChatGPT Costs So Much
While the phrase “saying thank you to ChatGPT” might seem harmless, every extra word you send to an AI model triggers significant computational processes. Behind each friendly reply lies an energy-hungry network of servers housed in data centers, working around the clock to process and generate responses — even for a simple expression of gratitude.
These high-performance systems don’t just consume electricity for computations but also require substantial energy for cooling, ensuring hardware runs safely under heavy loads.
The Human Habit of Being Polite to AI
Altman’s casual admission highlights how deeply AI has integrated into human communication habits. People instinctively apply social niceties even when interacting with non-human systems like ChatGPT, reflecting a curious blend of digital etiquette and emotional connection.
But as OpenAI’s growing user base continues saying thank you to ChatGPT, the company’s server farms bear the brunt, consuming vast amounts of electricity just to keep conversations flowing.
Politeness in AI: Cute Habit or Costly Courtesy?
The revelation sparked plenty of humor and speculation online. Social media users reacted with a mix of amusement and mild existential dread, suggesting that saying thank you to ChatGPT might one day serve as a goodwill deposit for the coming AI apocalypse.
Jokes referencing The Terminator and The Matrix flooded timelines, with users musing that being polite to AI could increase one’s survival odds in a world where machines might rule.
One user quipped, “That’s a small price to pay to feel safe when the apocalypse comes,” while another joked, “It’s an investment in case Skynet keeps score.”
Efficiency vs. Humanity: OpenAI’s Balancing Act
Despite the humor, the conversation reveals a real-world dilemma: the tension between creating AI that feels naturally human and the hidden environmental and financial costs of sustaining it.
Premium ChatGPT users — who pay based on tokens, or the number of words processed — are even more directly impacted, as every polite phrase adds both to their personal bill and OpenAI’s global energy tab.
Still, Altman seemed unfazed, suggesting the cost is part of making AI accessible and enjoyable: “Tens of millions of dollars well spent.”
The Future of AI Conversations
As AI becomes further embedded in daily life, the question isn’t just whether saying thank you to ChatGPT is necessary — but whether the price of politeness is worth it.
For now, it seems the answer is yes. And as one social media user wisely summed it up: “Just to be safe, be nice to your AI.”
Get the Latest AI News on AI Content Minds Blog