Readers reply: Should we be polite to voice assistants and AIs?
Briefly

Readers reply: Should we be polite to voice assistants and AIs?
"We should not begin to think of the imitation as real. We use language to dehumanise where we should not, leading to terrible actions. By the same token, we should not use language to humanise a machine."
"From a cost and environmental perspective, we definitely should not use the kinds of polite niceties that we use when talking with other people. Processing that extra language...uses extra energy and water."
"Several studies have shown that it helps. After all, modern AIs are just huge statistical parrots: when you are polite to them, they are polite and helpful back."
Using polite language with artificial assistants can create a habit of politeness in human interactions. While AI mimics social behaviors, it is crucial to remember that these devices are not sentient. Some argue that excessive politeness may lead to unnecessary energy consumption, as processing extra language can waste resources. However, being polite can yield positive responses from AI, reinforcing the idea that courteous behavior is beneficial. Ultimately, maintaining politeness is a personal choice, but it should not blur the line between human and machine interactions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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