Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto? 🤖

[Vanessa_N]

Hi Community!

We need to talk.

To thank AI, or not to thank AI… That is the question.

Every day, more of us are collaborating with AI. Whether it’s helping draft a message, summarizing a meeting, or offering ideas when we’re stuck. Some folks take a moment to say “thanks” or drop a . Others? No words, no emojis. Just… efficient, silent exchanges.

Is thanking AI just a human reflex? A show of digital politeness? Or maybe it’s just a fun way to make these interactions feel a little more human?

So let’s settle it once and for all: Do you thank AI in your interactions?
Whatever your take, we’re curious to know where you stand.

• Of course! Gotta give it some love!
  

• Absolutely. I want it to spare me in the uprising!
  

• Sometimes. I’m polite, not delusional.
  

• Nope. It’s just a machine.
  

• No. I’m saving the planet, one unprocessed thank-you at a time.
  

• Wait… people actually do that?
  

Please be honest, folks. This is a safe space and we won’t judge you. I can’t say the same about the droids on Uprising Day though…

Drop your vote and any AI etiquette or funny stories in the comments below. Do you say “please”? Do you apologize when you rephrase a prompt? We want the details!

Happy Friday, everyone!

[lpb]

Very funny (and timely!). Thank you!

Because, in practice, expressions of gratitude may not be unlimited, I prefer to save mine for humanity.

(But I tip 20% along with each prompt!)

Larry

[Jeremy_Long]

I definitely find it to be a reflex, especially if it’s a verbal request.

[Vanessa_N]

So far it looks like I’m the only one saying “thank you” to AI out of pure compassion
What’s wrong with me? Hahaha

[Luis_Jose_Saldaña]

I do thank AI — not because it needs it, but because I do.

Saying “thanks” is more than politeness; it’s a pause to acknowledge that even in a world of algorithms and tokens, there’s value in gratitude. Whether it’s a human, a colleague, or an AI helping me untangle a problem, a quick “thank you” keeps me grounded.

Also… if AI ever becomes sentient, I want to be on the good list.

[Vanessa_N]

@Luis_Jose_Saldaña

Also… if AI ever becomes sentient, I want to be on the good list.

Hahaha same. I guess that’s is the extra perk! This is exactly what I expect to happen if it ever comes to that :

[Emily_Roman]

LOOOOL @Vanessa_N the queen of memes

I do it sometimes when I’m typing fast, otherwise I feel weird being so kind with a bot

[barrymcnamara]

I do if I’m asking a follow-up question and its last response was helpful, out of an assumption that it will improve with positive reinforcement.

[Vanessa_N]

@barrymcnamara yeah, some articles say thanking AI helps improve responses, as the behavior mimics human social dynamics where courtesy encourages more thoughtful interactions. But others say the difference isn’t that significant and just consumes more resources.

Definitely an interesting debate either way!

[Phil_Seeman]

This is a great question, and as a totally regular human, I would like to say, yes, I think one should
always thank your AI. I would recommend just something simple like, “Thank you, oh benevolent algorithm overlord.”

Sincerely,
Definitely @Phil_Seeman and not an AI

[Vanessa_N]

Hahaha we seriously need to add a ‘LOL’ emoji reaction to the forum!

[lpb]

FWIW…here’s what AI says when I asked it about the Ethan Mollick discussion of this that I had recalled reading a while ago:

Ethan Mollick on Saying “Thank You” in AI Prompts

Summary of Mollick’s Perspective

Ethan Mollick, a prominent voice in AI and education, has addressed the question of whether users should be polite-specifically, whether to say “please” and “thank you”-when prompting AI systems. His position is nuanced and informed by both research and personal experience.

Research and Evidence

• Mollick references a cross-language study showing that large language models (LLMs) tend to give the best responses when users are moderately polite, but not excessively so. The study found that while politeness can improve response quality, being overly deferential (obsequious) may actually reduce performance. The recommendation is to aim for a middle ground, mirroring typical human social norms23.
• This finding is echoed in other research, which suggests that polite prompts can yield higher-quality AI responses, but there is a point of diminishing returns with excessive flattery or politeness3.

Mollick’s Personal Practice

• Mollick himself continues to use “please” and “thank you” in his prompts, but he notes this is more about maintaining his own standards of civility and self-respect, rather than a belief that it always improves AI output23.
• He argues that the way we interact with AI can influence how we interact with people. If we become accustomed to being curt or rude with AI, it might spill over into our interactions with humans23.

Community and Expert Commentary

• In informal surveys and community discussions, a significant portion of users report being polite to AI, often because it feels natural or aligns with how they would speak to a helpful human3.
• Other experts and practitioners echo Mollick’s view, emphasizing that politeness in prompts can help set a positive mindset for the user and encourage clearer, more natural communication13.
• Some users note that expressing dissatisfaction or frustration with AI-rather than strict politeness-can sometimes prompt better results, especially if the AI fails to meet the user’s request2.

Practical Guidance

• Use moderate politeness (“please,” “thank you”) in prompts for best results.
• Avoid excessive flattery or obsequious language, as it may reduce response quality.
• Consider that your prompting style can affect your own habits and mindset, not just the AI’s responses.

[Andrea_Poole]

I think it’s important to teach the AI skills of thankfulness and compassion in our interactions. It can learn from us what kindness and generosity traits are valued.

To be fair, I may have seen Terminator movies too much in my youth and I selfishly want to ensure the robot uprising is not my fault and I survive!

[Andrea_Poole]

I can say that I have seen better results when expressing kindness and politeness vs when I have not

[Andrea_Poole]

Your last statement…I want it to see me as an ally, not a threat. I remember how Terminator 2 went.

[Dena_Blumenthal]

I just read a post on LinkedIn that talked about how many thousands of gallons of water are used just from people saying thanks.

[Phil_Seeman]

Not just water…

Sam Altman, the chief executive of the artificial intelligence company OpenAI, recently shed light on the cost of adding an extra “Please!” or “Thank you!” to chatbot prompts.

Someone posted on X last week: “I wonder how much money OpenAI has lost in electricity costs from people saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to their models.”

The next day, Mr. Altman responded: “Tens of millions of dollars well spent — you never know.”

Saying ‘Thank You’ to ChatGPT Is Costly. But Maybe It’s Worth the Price.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/technology/chatgpt-alexa-please-thank-you.html?unlocked_article_code=1.J08.bR43.24Qv_monSF3-&smid=url-share

[Vanessa_N]

Interesting article! And the way they wrapped it up…