The Rise of AI Etiquette: Why We're Saying 'Please' and 'Thank You' to Machines 🙏
By Polly Barnfield, CEO at Maybe*
In an unprecedented deep dive into human-AI interaction, we recently interviewed over 100 small agency owners about their AI etiquette, complementing broader generational research that shows nearly half of agency owners use "please" and "thank you" when communicating with AI systems. This emerging phenomenon reveals fascinating insights into how humans are adapting to an increasingly AI-integrated workplace.
The Generational Divide
The tendency to be polite to AI shows a clear generational pattern. Gen Z leads the charge, with 56% defaulting to courteous interaction with AI systems, followed closely by Millennials at 52%. Gen X shows a more measured approach at 44%, while 39% of Boomers maintain polite discourse with AI.
This generational gradient might reflect different levels of comfort and familiarity with technology. Having grown up in a digital world, younger generations may naturally anthropomorphise digital interactions, treating AI more like a collaborative partner than a tool.
The Power of Reciprocity
One of the most compelling findings is how AI responds to politeness. When users are polite, the AI is more likely to reciprocate. Just like in human interactions, kindness begets kindness. Generative AI mirrors the professionalism, clarity, and detail of the prompts it receives. It's a conversation, and users play a crucial role in setting the vibe.
The Psychology Behind AI Politeness
The reasons behind this emerging etiquette are multifaceted and reveal interesting aspects of human psychology:
1. Resource Recognition
Users who approach AI with politeness often view it as a limited resource deserving of respect. This perspective mirrors traditional human interactions where courtesy is expected when requesting assistance or services.
2. Setting the Conversational Stage
Many users report that polite language helps establish a more productive dialogue. By setting a respectful tone, they create an environment conducive to collaborative problem-solving, even with a non-human entity.
3. The Reciprocity Effect
Perhaps most intriguingly, users have noticed that politeness often yields better results. This perception, whether based on actual algorithmic responses or psychological projection, reinforces courteous behaviour patterns.
Insights from Agency Owners
Our recent interviews with over 100 small agency owners revealed several key insights about AI interaction patterns:
Small agency owners are actively integrating AI into their daily operations, from content creation to project management
Many view AI as a collaborative tool rather than just automated software
Attitudes toward AI politeness often correlate with overall views on AI adoption and integration
Those who report being polite to AI often describe more positive and productive experiences with the technology
Business Implications
For agency owners and business leaders, this trend has several important implications:
Workplace Culture: The way teams interact with AI tools may reflect and influence broader workplace communication patterns
Training Considerations: Organisations might need to develop guidelines for AI interaction etiquette
Client Relations: How agencies interact with AI could impact client perceptions, especially when AI tools are used in client-facing situations
Looking Forward
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into business operations, these emerging patterns of politeness might evolve into established professional norms. The current generational differences suggest that courteous AI interaction could become even more prevalent as younger generations assume leadership roles.
The Human Element
What makes this trend particularly fascinating is how it reflects our tendency to humanise our tools. Even knowing that AI doesn't have feelings to hurt or ego to boost, many of us instinctively apply social norms to these interactions. This behaviour might say more about our own psychology than about the technology itself.
Final Thoughts
The emergence of AI etiquette represents more than just polite behaviour—it signals a fundamental shift in how we relate to technology. As AI continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, these patterns of interaction may well become the foundation for a new framework of human-machine relations.
The fact that nearly half of agency owners are already engaging politely with AI suggests we're at the beginning of a significant cultural shift in professional communication. Whether this trend continues to grow may depend on how AI technology evolves and how future generations choose to interact with it.
The insights gained from our agency owner interviews reinforce that this isn't just about manners—it's about adapting to a new era of human-machine collaboration where the lines between tool and teammate are increasingly blurred.
Through politeness and professional communication, users are discovering that they can create more productive and meaningful interactions with AI, setting the stage for a future where human-AI collaboration is built on a foundation of mutual respect and effective communication.
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