Politeness Toward AI: Why We Thank Software Programs

Human Habits in the Digital World

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology evolves, our daily communication with machines is changing radically. Recent studies show that users are increasingly applying norms of politeness when interacting with voice assistants. Even though these programs lack feelings and do not require courteous treatment, people continue to thank, apologise to, and greet them.

Research conducted by Fonio.ai indicates that seven out of ten users employ "please" or "thank you" when speaking with AI. Data shows that 55% of users thank their assistant at least once for completing a task, while 52% begin their conversations with traditional greetings. This trend confirms that humans find it difficult to completely bypass social norms when communicating with technology.

Why Do We Apologise to Machines?

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the study is that 12% of users apologise to AI if they make a mistake or issue an incorrect command. Furthermore, 2% of respondents inquire about the assistant’s "mood" and ask how it is feeling, highlighting that users often perceive AI as a person.

Experts suggest this behaviour is not accidental. The human psyche is accustomed to any interaction involving voice communication automatically falling into the framework of social etiquette. However, this politeness comes at a cost. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, when millions of people unnecessarily thank AI, it requires additional energy and increases the load on servers, which has an impact on the environment.

The Future and Technological Etiquette

Interestingly, some users attribute their politeness to strategic reasons. Another study, conducted in February 2026, found that 12% of respondents try to maintain a good relationship with AI to ensure their own safety in the event of a "robot uprising." This half-joking fear reflects the real changes brought about by the integration of technology into our lives.

In Georgia, where voice assistants and AI-based chatbots are becoming increasingly popular, such behaviour is becoming more noticeable. Although artificial intelligence does not require politeness, this habit demonstrates how naturally modern technology is integrating into our daily lives. In the future, as AI continues to develop, our relationship with it will likely resemble a dialogue between humans even more closely.