Cognitive Load, Fatigue & Decision Offloading Dataset 2025 — Human Clarity Institute

This dataset is part of the Human Clarity Institute’s AI–Human Experience Data Series. It measures how adults experience cognitive load, mental fatigue, decision offloading, and the growing mental demands created by digital and AI-mediated environments. The dataset includes:• validated 1–7 Likert-scale items • cognitive load and mental clutter indicators • measures of AI reliance and decision offloading behaviour • digital overstimulation and attention-drift metrics • open-text reflections on AI’s impact on clarity, thinking, and decision-making • demographic variables across five countries Data were collected via Prolific in 2025 from adults across the UK, US, Australia, 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-driven environments shape human cognitive strain, mental energy, and decision-making, providing foundational data for longitudinal tracking of cognitive and behavioural effects in the AI era.