News Overview
- The article discusses how users are increasingly abandoning polite language (e.g., “please” and “thank you”) when interacting with AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Alexa.
- Experts attribute this shift to a perceived lack of genuine sentience in AI, leading users to treat them more like tools than entities deserving of politeness.
- The article explores the potential long-term implications of this change in interaction patterns on human communication and societal norms.
🔗 Original article link: The End of “Please” and “Thank You”?
In-Depth Analysis
The article highlights a growing trend: a decline in the use of politeness markers when interacting with AI assistants. It notes that initial reactions to AI often involved courteous language, perhaps driven by novelty or a subconscious anthropomorphism. However, as users become more familiar with the underlying technology, and perceive its limitations in genuine understanding and feeling, they tend to revert to more direct, utilitarian communication.
Several factors contribute to this:
- Perceived Lack of Sentience: Users understand that AI lacks consciousness, emotions, and the capacity to be genuinely offended or pleased. This removes the perceived need for polite conventions that are typically employed in human interactions.
- Efficiency and Speed: Politeness markers can be seen as unnecessary overhead in interactions with AI. Users prioritize getting the desired result quickly and efficiently, which can lead to more direct and less courteous commands.
- The “Tool” Mentality: AI chatbots are increasingly viewed as tools or utilities rather than as social entities. We don’t typically say “please” to our washing machine or “thank you” to our calculator.
- Data Training: The article touches upon how current AI systems are trained on massive datasets that often include impolite or direct language. This can further contribute to the desensitization and normalization of less courteous interactions.
The article also points to research suggesting that consistent exposure to impolite language, even when directed at AI, could potentially influence human-to-human interactions in subtle ways, leading to a general decline in societal courtesy.
Commentary
The decline in politeness toward AI, while seemingly trivial, raises important questions about the future of human-computer interaction and its potential impact on social norms. While it’s logical to abandon formalities with non-sentient entities, the concern lies in the spillover effect onto human relationships.
Consider these potential implications:
- Erosion of Empathy: Constant interaction with unfeeling entities could lead to a decrease in empathy and understanding in human-to-human interactions.
- Normalization of Rudeness: The casual acceptance of impolite language in AI interactions could gradually normalize rudeness in general communication.
- Design Implications: AI developers should consider whether to program chatbots to encourage polite interactions, even if they don’t truly “understand” them. This could involve subtly nudging users towards more courteous language.
The long-term strategic considerations are significant. Businesses deploying AI assistants need to be aware of this trend and its potential impact on customer relations and brand image. A thoughtful approach to AI interaction design is crucial to mitigating potential negative consequences. While focusing on efficient task completion is important, prioritizing the maintenance of positive communication habits should also be considered.