GoKawiilUK government drafts guidance telling staff not to thank AI chatbots
The UK government has published a draft document called 'Using AI ethically and sustainably' that instructs civil servants on responsible AI use, including skipping courtesy phrases like 'thank you' to reduce environmental impact. The under-600-word guide also tells staff to follow department-specific AI policies, use lighter-weight AI models where possible (such as Gemini Flash over Gemini Pro), and verify AI outputs for accuracy and fairness before use.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The guidance signals that governments are starting to formalize AI etiquette and efficiency practices as computing costs and energy use from AI queries draw scrutiny. By stressing that employees remain accountable for AI-assisted decisions, the document appears aimed at preventing over-reliance on AI tools, a concern echoed by recent reports linking AI use to increased workplace burnout.
- The UK government's draft AI guidance discourages unnecessary chatbot pleasantries to cut energy use.
- Staff are told to use lighter AI models for simpler tasks and follow department-specific policies.
- Employees remain responsible for outcomes from AI-assisted work, per the guidance.
Source: tomshardware.com — Oliver Haslam, 2026-09-28
Published there as: “UK government tells staff to stop thanking AI chatbots”
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