Do You Say 'Please' and 'Thank You' to ChatGPT?
Do You Say 'Please' and 'Thank You' to ChatGPT?
The Evolution of Politeness with AI
If you've ever found yourself saying "please" and "thank you" to ChatGPT, you're not alone. Nearly half of the respondents in a survey by Ethan Mollick from the University of Pennsylvania admitted to being polite to the chatbot. This behavior is also common among developers who treat ChatGPT with the same respect as they would a human assistant. The question arises: why be courteous to a machine?
Politeness and Performance
Research suggests that polite prompts can enhance AI chatbot performance. Studies from Waseda University and the RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project show that polite prompts often yield higher-quality responses. However, excessive flattery can reduce performance, indicating a need for balance. Similarly, a Google DeepMind study found that supportive language can help AI solve problems more effectively, mimicking structured and encouraging tutoring language.
The Impact on Human Interaction
Being polite to AI isn't just about better chatbot responses; it reflects and nurtures our humanity. Sherry Turkle from MIT emphasizes that politeness toward AI is a form of self-respect. Consistently rude behavior towards AI could degrade our social norms, affecting how we interact with people. This concern is evident in children's interactions with voice assistants, prompting companies like Google to encourage polite language.
Preserving Human Communication
Our interactions with AI can shape societal norms. Autumn P. Edwards from Western Michigan University notes that we can either adopt command-based interaction styles or integrate the best of human communication into our dialogues with AI. As AI evolves, maintaining civility in these interactions is crucial. This not only improves AI performance but also preserves our social fabric.
Conclusion
Being polite to AI like ChatGPT is more than a technological curiosity. It enhances chatbot performance and helps preserve civility in human interactions. As AI integrates into daily life, maintaining politeness is essential for our well-being and social norms.
Source: Scientific American - Please Be Polite to ChatGPT
Image: Alexa from Pixabay
Comments
Post a Comment