What is being polite costing the environment? Is it a fact, as recent articles have stated, that, for instance, thanking ChatGPT has an environmental price associated with it?

The claim that thanking ChatGPT “costs a bottle of water” is a simplification, but it does highlight a real environmental concern: the water consumption associated with AI operations.

How ChatGPT Uses Water

AI models like ChatGPT operate on servers housed in data centers that require substantial cooling to function efficiently. This cooling often involves the use of fresh water, which is either evaporated or otherwise consumed in the process.

Research from the University of California, Riverside, indicates that generating a 100-word response with GPT-4 can consume approximately 500 milliliters (about 17 ounces) of water. This estimate encompasses the water used for cooling the servers during the inference process—the phase where the AI generates responses to user prompts .

It’s important to note that this figure can vary based on factors such as the location of the data center, the cooling technology employed, and the source of electricity. For instance, data centers powered by water-intensive energy sources or located in hotter climates may have higher water usage.

The Cost of Politeness

While saying “thank you” to ChatGPT might seem inconsequential, each interaction—no matter how brief—triggers computational processes that consume energy and, by extension, water for cooling. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged that processing polite phrases like “please” and “thank you” contributes to the company’s operational costs, amounting to tens of millions of dollars annually in electricity expenses.

Putting It in Perspective

Although the water usage per individual query is relatively small, the cumulative effect is significant given the scale of AI usage globally. However, it’s also worth comparing this to other common activities. For example, producing a single hamburger can require over 600 gallons of water, far exceeding the water footprint of multiple AI interactions.

Bottom line: Should people act politely when interacting with AI, even though the AI has no feelings?

Being polite to a chatbot doesn’t benefit the bot (it won’t feel either flattered or offended), but it reinforces habits and values that shape how we treat people. When you speak with respect and care, even to a machine, you’re practicing behaviors that can spill over into your human relationships. It keeps your communication muscle toned.

modeling respectful language, even with AI, can send the message that decency doesn’t depend on whether someone deserves it or can feel it. It’s about who you choose to be.

On the other hand, people don’t owe politeness to their devices. If someone’s in a hurry or venting frustration, it’s totally fine to be blunt or even a little snarky with a chatbot. You’re not hurting anyone.

Being polite to AI is more about self-expression and habit than moral obligation. You’re not doing it for the ChatBot, you’re doing it for you. And that makes it worth considering. ◊