Cognitive Load, Fatigue & Decision Offloading 2025 (Dataset, n = 503)

This dataset is part of the Human Clarity Institute’s AI–Human Experience 2025 data series. It examines how digital and AI-powered tools influence cognitive load, mental fatigue, decision offloading, and the after-effects of AI interaction, including momentary cognitive strain, shifts in decision confidence, and changes in mental clarity or restlessness following AI use.The dataset includes:• validated 1–7 Likert-scale items• measures of cognitive load, mental fatigue, AI-reliance tendencies, confidence changes, and decision detachment• behavioural indicators of decision offloading, mental replay, overstimulation, and difficulty mentally switching off after AI use• multi-select variables stored as canonical semicolon-delimited snake_case tokens (not used in this dataset, but retained for data series consistency)• open-text reflections with minimal safe cleaning (trim and newline removal only)• demographic variables across five English-speaking countries• digital life exposure (daily hours online) and AI-tool usage frequencyData were collected on 18 November 2025 via Prolific from adults in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.All data were cleaned, anonymised, and processed under the Human Clarity Institute’s machine-readable dataset protocol, which includes:• canonical snake_case variable naming• validated numeric ranges• standardised categorical formats• minimal safe text cleaning• full alignment with the accompanying data dictionary• removal of Prolific IDs and timestamps• SHA-256 checksums for all filesThis dataset contributes to understanding how AI use shapes cognitive burden, decision-making confidence, and mental after-effects. It supports longitudinal tracking of how AI reliance, cognitive fatigue, and human judgment evolve over time and informs the changing cognitive relationship between humans and AI in everyday life.