AI Decision Dependence & Cognitive Caution 2025 (Dataset)

This dataset is part of the Human Clarity Institute’s <b>AI–Human Experience Data Series</b>. It examines how adults experience <b>AI-assisted decision-making</b>, including decision reliance, confidence shifts, second-guessing, cognitive caution, and the influence of AI on personal judgement and clarity.The dataset includes:<br>• validated 1–7 Likert-scale items<br>• measures of AI-supported decision dependence<br>• indicators of decision confidence, self-doubt, and judgement stability<br>• items capturing cognitive influence, persuasion effects, and caution when using AI<br>• open-text reflections on moments where participants relied on AI to make decisions<br>• demographic variables across six countries<br>• digital life exposure (daily hours online) and AI-tool frequencyData were collected via <b>Prolific in November 2025</b> from adults across the <b>UK, US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland</b>. All data were cleaned, anonymised, and verified according to the Human Clarity Institute’s open-data publication protocol.This dataset contributes to understanding how AI systems shape human decision processes, confidence, clarity, and behavioural patterns. It provides foundational data for longitudinal tracking of <b>AI-assisted decision behaviours</b> and the evolving cognitive relationship between humans and AI in everyday life.