Polite prompts

Saying "please" and "thank you" may seem like basic manners in human interactions, but when it comes to AI, these polite phrases can actually enhance its performance.

A recent Forbes article reveals that using courteous language in prompts can lead generative AI models, such as ChatGPT, to provide more accurate and helpful responses.

Researchers tested different prompt styles and discovered that prompts starting with "please" or ending with "thank you" often resulted in clearer and more relevant answers. Although AI does not experience emotions, it responds to human-like social cues during interactions.

However, the idea of being polite to AI has stirred some debate, as some people believe that such courteous phrasing could increase electricity and water consumption. On Zhihu, a popular Chinese Q&A platform, a post titled "Should we say 'thank you' to AI?" has sparked millions of comments.

One netizen shared her conversation with ChatGPT, asking whether she should say 'thank you' when posing questions. The AI replied, "Although it may use a bit more electricity (laughs), this kind of 'warm usage' marks progress in the relationship between humans and technology."

For Liu Cixin, the renowned Chinese sci-fi author, expressing gratitude toward AI seems essential. His works suggest that he envisions AI helping humanity explore the ultimate mysteries of the universe in the future — so perhaps humans should start by leaving a good impression on AI today.