Millions of Britons have adopted a surprising new digital habit, speaking politely to artificial intelligence in the belief it will deliver superior results. A new nationwide poll has uncovered that a significant majority of adults now routinely use manners like 'please' and 'thank you' when interacting with chatbots such as ChatGPT.
The Generational Divide in Digital Manners
The study, commissioned by mobile operator Talkmobile, highlights a stark contrast in behaviour across different age groups. It is the younger generation setting the standard for digital etiquette. A remarkable 91% of users aged 18 to 28 report being courteous to AI assistants. This stands in sharp opposition to the habits of older Britons.
Among Baby Boomers, less than two-thirds (64%) tend to be polite, with just 61% using 'please' and 'thank you'. The most sceptical group is the post-war generation, where a mere 25% believe that being civil to software has any bearing on the quality of the results it provides.
Britain's Growing Reliance on Artificial Intelligence
The research, which surveyed over 2,000 phone users, also illustrates the UK's increasing dependence on AI technology. The average user now poses at least three questions to AI daily. Furthermore, one in five Brits are bypassing traditional search engines, turning directly to AI for information.
Adoption rates vary significantly by age. Seven in 10 (70%) Gen Z respondents have downloaded an AI bot, compared to just a quarter (26%) of Boomers. Overall, half of the nation (51%) has an AI application like ChatGPT installed on their smartphone.
How the UK Uses AI Assistants
The poll identified the primary reasons people are turning to this technology. The top uses for AI in the UK include:
- Explaining difficult concepts (21%)
- Fact-checking information (21%)
- Spell-checking text (20%)
- Troubleshooting IT issues (19%)
Talkmobile commissioned the study as part of its initiative to promote straightforward technology. A spokesman for the company, Stuart Wilson, commented on the findings, acknowledging AI's role while emphasising the value of human interaction. "While AI can be helpful for quick answers and simple tasks, there’s no replacement for a real person who understands your needs," Wilson said.
He added, "We've always believed that genuine human connection matters – especially when our customers need support or advice on important issues. Some conversations are simply too important to leave to a chatbot."
