Quick Summary
Saying please and thank you to AI chatbots generates unexpected environmental costs.
Key Points
- Polite interactions with AI consume millions in electricity
- 67% of Americans are courteous to chatbots
- AI data centres use around 2% global electricity
Why It Matters
The seemingly innocuous practice of being polite to AI represents a hidden environmental burden, demonstrating how small digital interactions can collectively contribute to significant carbon emissions. As AI technology becomes more prevalent, understanding and mitigating its energy consumption becomes crucial for sustainable technological development.