Politeness may waste resources when interacting with AI services

A growing discussion about the efficiency of human interaction with artificial intelligence (AI) services has surfaced, highlighting environmental concerns. Experts like Aleš Wilk, a cloud software and SEO specialist at Apify, emphasize that politeness in prompts consumes computational resources. While traditional wisdom suggests a more polite approach fosters better human-AI interaction and might cultivate more considerate human behavior, Wilk points out that each token in an AI prompt has a measurable computational cost. This prompts a shift in perspective on politeness, especially since AI technologies can directly impact the planet due to significant energy consumption. The debate includes insights from Greg Osuri, founder of Akash, who states that AI inference currently accounts for over 80% of total AI energy consumption. He highlights that while the technology industry has focused on enhancing model size and deployment speed, it has overlooked the broader issue of inefficiency in AI architecture. Osuri suggests that conversations about politeness in AI prompts overlook the fundamental concern of environmental sustainability, pointing to the need for more efficient AI systems. Current dialogue encourages AI users to streamline their prompts, moving away from formalities often associated with human communication. This shift in language use may contribute to the effective generation of content, whether that be text, code, or images. The emphasis on directness and precision is not just about enhancing AI interaction but also about reducing the carbon footprint associated with AI operations. In this light, the implications of AI's environmental impact cannot be ignored. With the increasing reliance on AI in various sectors, understanding and mitigating its energy costs must become a central challenge for developers and companies alike. Thus, as technology continues to advance, it is essential for users to recognize that minimizing unnecessary language will benefit both efficient AI operation and the planet.