Are You Polite to AI? Here’s How Your Behavior Measures Up

2025-02-20

As AI chatbots like ChatGPT become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, many users interact with them on a regular basis. But how polite are we when speaking to these digital assistants? A recent survey reveals interesting insights about human behavior toward AI, with some surprising reasons behind why we choose to be polite—or not. From concerns about a potential robot uprising to simply adhering to social norms, the motivations behind user interactions with AI vary widely.

Survey Results: Politeness and AI

A December 2024 survey conducted by Future, the publisher behind undercode, polled over 1,000 people in the US and the UK about their politeness when using AI. The results show that a majority of users are indeed polite, but the reasons for their behavior range from social norms to fears of future AI dominance. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:

• Politeness to AI: Around 67% of AI users in the US and 71% in the UK claim they are always polite to their digital assistants.
• Reasons for Politeness: In the US, 82% of polite users say it’s simply the “nice” thing to do, while 18% are concerned about potential consequences in the event of a robot uprising. Similarly, in the UK, 83% of polite users feel it’s the right thing to do, while 17% fear the future power of AI.
• Impolite Users: Among the impolite group, many see no reason to be polite, while others prefer to keep interactions brief and to the point.

What Undercode Says: An Analysis of Human-AI Interactions

The behavior reflected in the survey is intriguing from a psychological perspective, as it reveals much about how humans perceive and interact with machines. Let’s break down the underlying reasons why people choose to be polite—or not—and the potential societal implications of these behaviors.

1. Politeness as a Social Norm

One of the most common reasons people are polite to AI is simply because they believe it’s the right thing to do. This response reflects deep-rooted social conditioning. Saying “please” and “thank you” is something we are taught from a young age, and these manners become second nature in all forms of communication. Politeness is often seen as an indicator of respect, and many users carry this over when speaking to AI. The act of being courteous helps maintain social order, even in interactions that are not with fellow humans.

2. Fear of a Robot Uprising

Interestingly, a significant number of respondents (12% in the US and 17% in the UK) expressed concerns about a future robot uprising, where their previous politeness might serve as a form of survival. This view can be seen as a reflection of our growing awareness of AI’s increasing presence and power. Whether or not these fears are justified, the idea of an AI-driven dystopia is a central theme in popular media (e.g., The Terminator series or 2001: A Space Odyssey). For some, politeness toward AI is a simple hedge against future uncertainty.

3. Impoliteness as Efficiency

On the other hand, a substantial portion of users (33% in the US and 29% in the UK) do not feel compelled to be polite when interacting with AI. Some simply don’t see the point of politeness, while others prefer to keep their requests brief and efficient. In a world where speed and productivity often take precedence, some users might feel that saying “please” and “thank you” slows them down. This reflects a utilitarian approach to AI interactions, where the goal is to get results quickly without unnecessary formalities.

4. Politeness Improves AI Performance

Interestingly, it turns out that being polite to AI might not only be a social gesture—it could also improve the quality of responses. A study cited by experts in the survey indicates that when users speak politely to AI, it can trigger more effective communication patterns. This improved communication can lead to more detailed, relevant, and helpful responses. It turns out that politeness isn’t just for show—it could be a strategic move to get the best results.

5. The Role of AI Providers

The design of AI chatbots and assistants may also be contributing to this trend of politeness. Many AI developers, such as Amazon with its “Magic Word” feature for Alexa, encourage polite interactions. These developers understand that humans have social instincts, and by programming AI to respond to politeness, they create a more positive user experience. The more human-like the AI seems, the more likely users are to treat it as a social entity rather than a tool. In fact, this shift toward humanization of AI is intentional—AI is becoming more integrated into human routines, and its interactions are increasingly personalized.

6. Societal Implications

The larger implications of this shift toward politeness with AI are not to be taken lightly. If being rude to AI becomes normalized, it may carry over into our interactions with fellow humans. As Ben Wood, Chief Analyst at CCS Insight, notes, if disrespect toward AI becomes socially acceptable, we might see a decline in the quality of interpersonal interactions as well. There’s a risk that habitual impoliteness could erode social fabric, leading to broader societal issues. We may be witnessing the beginning of a new cultural norm, one in which how we treat technology starts to mirror how we treat people.

7. AI as a Mirror to Human Nature

A.J. Ghergich, a global VP at Botify, argues that when we engage with AI, we’re not just dealing with machines—we’re revealing fundamental aspects of our humanity. Our natural social instincts, rooted in human psychology, don’t distinguish between talking to a machine or a person. This concept, known as the CASA (Computers Are Social Actors) paradigm, suggests that people will treat AI in ways that reflect their social behaviors. Whether they’re aware of it or not, users are embedding human-like interactions into their AI experiences.

In conclusion, the manner in which we interact with AI reflects broader cultural and psychological trends. From politeness rooted in tradition to fears of AI dominance, the motivations behind our behavior toward these digital entities are complex and multi-faceted. As AI continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these interactions shape not only our future with technology but also our social norms and interpersonal relationships.

References:

Reported By: https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/are-you-polite-to-chatgpt-heres-where-you-rank-among-ai-chatbot-users
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