The Negative Impacts of Artificial Intelligence Dependency on Creative Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making: The Mediating Role of Information Overload

Abstract

The study investigates how dependence on Artificial Intelligence can reduce creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making, while considering information overload as the intervening factor. Even though AI is frequently considered a way to strengthen human abilities, this study brings attention to the fact that overusing AI could harm cognitive skills. The results demonstrate that a person's AI dependency strongly diminishes important cognitive processes. Negative correlations found were −0.337 for creative thinking, −0.246 for problem-solving, and −0.519 for decision-making. The results also propose that information overload serves as a mediator in these associations, with information overload explaining 40.4% of the effect on creative thinking, 41.2% of the effect on problem-solving, and 41.9% Our results show that relying on AI does not support human cognitive development, but actually contributes to diminished key mental skills. The report recommends reflecting on how AI influences cognitive performance, promoting mindful usage that shields individuals from cognitive exhaustion and supports core human skills like creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Creative Thinking, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Information Overload, AI Dependency.