Should we be polite to AI?

“When we say ‘please’ to ChatGPT, it is not irrational – it is unmistakably human.”

“Thank you, ChatGPT!” It might sound strange, but more and more people are catching themselves being polite to AI systems. A recent study shows that an average of 70% of people remain friendly in their interactions with AI, but is politeness toward AI merely a matter of etiquette or is there more to it? And is the machine’s output actually better when you are polite?

The figures

The study from TechRadar cited above shows that 67% of AI users in the US and 71% in the UK consistently remain polite to systems like ChatGPT and smart assistants.

The reasons vary:

• 82% of polite users do so simply because it is “the right thing to do.”
• 12% of users are friendly just in case AI ever takes over the world (you never know).
• Of the approximately 30% of impolite users, 40% state they do not see the point, while the rest indicate that it is simply faster to communicate briefly and directly.

Politeness influences AI performance

Interestingly, research suggests that the way we approach AI can influence the quality of the answers. One study shows that polite prompts yield up to 30% better results than curt or rudely phrased requests. AI models are trained to mimic human language use, and polite prompts seem to activate patterns that lead to more helpful and detailed responses.

Additionally, there is a cultural aspect: AI responds differently to politeness depending on the language and context in which it is used. Just as with human interactions, social convention plays a role, and by treating AI as a polite assistant, users can experience better collaboration.

Politeness as a leadership skill

Perhaps even more surprising is that a friendly approach to the AI system can have a broader effect on our daily communication and even our role as leaders. Studies show that people who consistently remain polite – even to a machine – often develop higher emotional intelligence. For instance, a 2023 study showed that rude behavior can spread like a virus within organizations. When leaders model respectful interaction with AI, they set the tone for how communication happens within teams. Another study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, even shows that companies encouraging polite interactions with AI see an improvement not only in their AI usage but also in customer satisfaction, collaboration, and the adoption of new technologies.

Where is the balance?

While there are benefits to being polite to AI, we must not forget that AI systems are ultimately driven by computing power and algorithms. Humanizing AI is a balance that is viewed in different ways. For example, there are studies that warn of the dangers of humanizing AI. However, formulating a professionally phrased prompt that is also polite can make a significant difference in the response you receive.

Conclusion

Whether you are polite to AI because it feels right, because you want better results, or simply as a precaution against a future robot uprising, the data shows that polite communication has an effect. Not only on the machine but also on ourselves and our work environment. Just as in daily life, a little kindness goes a long way.