AI Decision Dependence & Cognitive Caution 2025 (Dataset)

This dataset is part of the Human Clarity Institute’s AI–Human Experience Data Series. It examines how adults experience AI-assisted decision-making, including decision reliance, confidence shifts, second-guessing, cognitive caution, and the influence of AI on personal judgement and clarity. The dataset includes:• validated 1–7 Likert-scale items• measures of AI-supported decision-making dependence• indicators of decision confidence, self-doubt, and judgement stability• items capturing cognitive influence, persuasion effects, and caution when using AI• open-text reflections on moments where participants relied on AI to make decisions• demographic variables across six countries• digital life exposure (daily hours online) and AI-tool frequency Data were collected via Prolific in November 2025 from adults across the UK, US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland. 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 AI-assisted decision-making behaviours and the evolving cognitive relationship between humans and AI in everyday life.