Do You Say Please or Thank You to ChatGPT? The Subtle Influence of Prompt Engineering on Digital Civility

Do You Say Please or Thank You to ChatGPT? The Subtle Influence of Prompt Engineering on Digital Civility

In the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, tools like ChatGPT have become integral to our daily digital interactions. These advanced AI systems assist us with a myriad of tasks, from generating text and answering complex questions to providing creative solutions. However, as we engage more frequently with these non-human entities, an intriguing question arises: Are we inadvertently becoming ruder in our digital communications, or are we consciously maintaining our ingrained habits of politeness?

Politeness in the Age of AI: Do You Say Please and Thank You to ChatGPT?

Interacting with ChatGPT and similar AI models presents a unique paradox. On one hand, these systems are sophisticated, capable of processing vast amounts of data and generating human-like responses. On the other hand, they are devoid of emotions and awareness. This duality raises an interesting aspect of human-AI interaction – should we apply the same social etiquette we use with humans when communicating with AI?

Prompt Engineering: A New Etiquette in the Digital Age

Prompt engineering, the practice of crafting inputs to elicit desired responses from AI models, is an essential skill in maximizing the utility of tools like ChatGPT. The way we frame our prompts – the words we choose and the structure we employ – can significantly influence the quality of the output. Yet, within this technical process lies a deeper question of digital etiquette. Does maintaining politeness in our prompts matter?

Taylor Greene , Chair of Research and Instructional Services, Performing Arts Librarian, and one of the key people leading AI efforts at the Leatherby Libraries and Chapman University, provides his perspective on this matter:

"Even though I know that there is no being with emotions on the other side, I can’t help but communicate with the bot with politeness. I don’t suppose it makes any difference one way or another to the output of the generated response, but I always use 'please' at the beginning of my prompt."

From Politeness to Rudeness: How ChatGPT May Influence Our Communication Habits

Greene’s habit of incorporating “please” into prompts reflects a broader societal norm – the intrinsic value of politeness and civility. This practice, though seems irrelevant in the realm of AI interactions, indicates a fundamental aspect of our human nature. Politeness in communication is not merely about eliciting favorable responses; it is a reflection of our respect for others and ourselves.

The Hidden Impact of AI on Our Manners: Are We Becoming Ruder?

An additional concern arises from the trend of becoming more direct in our interactions with AI. There is a fear that this directness might spill over into our human interactions, making us more demanding and less considerate. I've noticed myself omitting "please" and "thank you" when conversing with ChatGPT, a habit likely influenced by my frequent AI interactions. When I noticed this, I immediately worried that this behavior might unconsciously extend into my interactions with people, potentially affecting my overall communication style. When I asked others, although it wasn't a large sample, they were divided. Some said, "Who cares?" while others insisted, "Of course I say please and thank you, it's my nature." For me, because I am always juggling a myriad of things at the same time, I find myself being more direct and perhaps demanding to the AI tools. But in my head, I always say, "It's a machine."

Prompt Engineering with Politeness: Does It Matter to ChatGPT?

The psychology behind polite interactions with AI can be fascinating. Even though AI models like ChatGPT are indifferent to the tone of our prompts, maintaining a polite demeanor can positively influence our mindset. Politeness can create a more pleasant and less stressful interaction experience, fostering a sense of calm and control. This can be especially beneficial in professional settings where maintaining a composed and respectful tone is crucial.

AI Etiquette: The Importance of Saying Please and Thank You to ChatGPT

Moreover, polite interactions can contribute to a more positive digital culture. In an era where online communication is often spoiled by negativity and incivility, maintaining politeness with AI can be a small yet significant step towards promoting a culture of respect and kindness.

Digital Civility: Maintaining Politeness in Interactions with ChatGPT

From a technical standpoint, AI models are designed to process text based on patterns and provide responses accordingly. The politeness of a prompt does not alter the fundamental processing mechanism of the AI. However, the practice of being polite is less about the machine's response and more about maintaining our human values.

How Interacting with AI Can Shape Our Communication Styles

The large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT have been trained on vast amounts of data, including content from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, where incivility is often prevalent. This raises another concern: Are we contributing to the rudeness of language models? While it may not affect the AI directly, it certainly can impact our interactions with others. Thus, it might be helpful to remember to be polite and not get too used to being demanding.

A Glimpse into the Future: The Rise of AI Etiquette

Fast forward to the year 2100, amidst the ever-evolving concerns about AI and its potential dangers, who knows what might happen? We could find ourselves dealing with highly advanced machines that not only understand our commands but also expect a certain level of politeness. Imagine a world where our AI assistants talk back to us, mirroring the tone we use with them, perhaps even replying rudely if we forget our manners. It might sound far-fetched now, but as AI continues to advance, the line between human and machine interaction could blur even further. So, maybe maintaining our polite habits with AI isn't just about courtesy—it's about preparing for a future where our digital counterparts might demand the same respect we show each other.

The Influence of AI on Human Etiquette: Are We Losing Our Politeness?

Another fascinating aspect of our interactions with AI is the tendency to anthropomorphize these systems. Despite being gender-neutral, many users, including myself, often subconsciously assign a gender to ChatGPT. I frequently catch myself thinking of ChatGPT as "him," though I can't pinpoint why. This tendency to humanize the bot reflects our innate desire to relate to and understand AI through a human lens. It's amusing and telling of our need to impose human characteristics on non-human entities, a phenomenon observed universally among users.

ChatGPT and Civility: The Subtle Effects of AI on Our Manners

As we navigate the integration of AI into our daily lives, the importance of maintaining civility in our digital interactions becomes increasingly evident. While tools like ChatGPT do not require politeness to function effectively, the act of using courteous language serves as a reminder of our human values. It fosters a culture of respect and kindness, essential in both digital and real-world communications.

Exploring the Impact of AI on Social Etiquette

I urge humanitarians and social scientists to investigate this topic more thoroughly. It's crucial to research the data, study the behaviors of students and individuals across different age groups, and comprehend how our interactions with AI might be influencing our overall communication styles. Are we inadvertently teaching language models to be rude? Will this have long-term consequences? It may be beneficial for us to maintain politeness and avoid becoming too accustomed to being demanding, ensuring that our interactions remain respectful and considerate.of AI Etiquette

Call to Action: Exploring the Impact of AI on Social Etiquette

I invite humanitarians and social scientists to delve deeper into this topic. Research the data, observe the habits of students and people of all ages & backgrounds, and understand how our interactions with AI may be shaping our broader communication styles. Are we contributing to making the language learning models rude? Will it matter in the long run? Perhaps it's helpful for us to remember to be polite and not get too used to being demanding.

An Astonishing Observation

One astonishing observation I've made is that the resistance to using AI seems to come more from younger people. Isn't it surprising that those who grew up with technology are the ones hesitant to embrace AI fully? Something worth researching and collecting some data on....

So, do you say "please" or "thank you" to ChatGPT?

So, do you say "please" or "thank you" to ChatGPT? While your choice might not alter the AI’s response, it can significantly impact how you interact with others. As digital interactions become increasingly prevalent, let us commit to preserving the values of politeness and respect. By doing so, we ensure that our humanity shines through in every conversation, whether with AI or fellow humans. After all, the essence of our communication lies not just in the words we choose, but in the respect and consideration we extend to one another.

Citation and Acknowledgment

This article was written with the assistance of ChatGPT4.0 "DALL·E, OpenAI." and edited to ensure clarity and coherence. I made sure to say "please" and "thank you" throughout the process this time. Smile :)

Citation: Nawar, E. (2024). "Do You Say Please or Thank You to ChatGPT? Exploring the Impact of AI Interactions on Our Communication Habits and Politeness." LinkedIn. Written with the help of AI and edited by Essraa Nawar.

This article was inspired by a conversation with my fellow Yogi, friend and Lecturer at the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Chapman University @Jaime Campbell