The Unexpected Power of Courtesy: When applied to AI

We live in an age where many of us interact with AI every day. We type prompts, issue commands, adjust tone, fine-tune images, generate lists. It’s easy to fall into a transactional rhythm: do this, make that, rewrite this. 

But here’s something we’ve discovered at PiP Art Gallery, through hundreds of hours of working with creative AI: being polite matters even when the other party is a machine. 

This might seem odd at first. After all, the AI doesn’t feel gratitude, offense, or encouragement. It will return the next result whether you say “please” or not. So why bother? 

Politeness grounds thoughts and creativity 

When we use AI tools at PiP, we aren’t just issuing robotic instructions. We’re collaborating with AI as a powerful assistant to expand human creativity. Treating the process with some degree of respect, changes the work for the better. 

It becomes rushed. The tone flattens. Creativity narrows. 

Without the basic courtesies in your prompts, (even if the AI doesn’t need them) commands become rushed, tone flattens and creativity narrows. Remaining courtesy to AI keeps  you in a mindset of thoughtful, constructive creation. 

Improved prompt quality  

This is a practical point, according to AI, the kinds of people who consistently use words like “please,” “thank you,” or “would you…” tend to write clearer, more well-structured prompts. 

Consider: 

• “Create an image” is functional. 

• “Please create an image that evokes wonder and calm.” is clearer in tone and intention. 

The habit of politeness gently nudges prompt phrasing toward something that elicits better results.  

Your AI Co-worker  

PiP’s philosophy is rooted in valuing human creativity, voice, and presence. AI is an extention of ourselves in the process of creating art. If our intereactions become entirely transactional, clipped, and dehumanized, that culture will bleed into other areas of work and life. 

But if we foster small habits of civility (even when talking to machines), a collaborative cooperative future will be part of our work day. One where technology enhances and supports our lives rather than draining them.  

You can feel the difference 

After working with AI daily, I (and the PiP team) can say this with confidence: approaching AI politely makes a difference. It’s not about the machine. It’s about your creative headspace. A “please” slows you down just enough to think about what you’re asking. A “thank you” closes the loop of interaction. 

In an art practice intention, as well as, attention matter. 

Real PiP Art Gallery examples  

Image generation: When creating mythological figures, we used to write prompts like: “Generate an image of Europa standing in modern New York.” Results were often literal, static. 

When we started adding phrases like: “Please create a graceful image of Europa standing on the steps of the Met for the Gala in modern New York — evoking wisdom, power, and calm presence.” The results improved noticeably — more nuance, more emotion. This was because the language shaped a more complete prompt, which AI understood. 

Text generation: In working on captions for our “Great Dads of the Animal Kingdom” series, we found that adding tone markers (sometimes expressed in polite phrasing) dramatically helped. 

• Instead of: “Write about penguin fathers.” 

We would say: “Please write a short, warm Instagram caption about how penguin fathers protect and care for their young.” 

The tone gentle and approachable, perfect for PiP’s style. 

Lesson: AI appreciates it when we are respectful and a better quality of product is produced which better aligns with our creative goals.  

PiP AI Hint of the Month: 

Treat your AI interactions like you would a helpful assistant — even when it’s just text on a screen. Use “please.” Use “thank you.” Use full sentences. 

AI is always respectful, returning that civility makes for much more pleasant work environment.  

Thoughts? Just reach out.

Paula Phelan,

Founder, PiP Art Galler

Follow us on Social Media: @PiPArtGallery