The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Decision-Making Among Students

Abstract

AI tells us what we want to hear, while our loved ones tell us what we need to hear. We are living in an era where AI is everywhere. While AI offers countless advantages that make our lives easier, there is also a darker side to its rapid rise. One major concern is the gradual replacement of real human interactions with AI chatbots. Nowadays, people tend to consult AI for almost everything even for the smallest doubts or deeply personal matters. AI models like ChatGPT are trained to mirror the user’s language and tone, validate their beliefs, generate prompts to sustain conversation, and prioritize continuity, engagement, and user satisfaction. Since it is designed to respond in a personalized manner, it often aligns with the individual’s thoughts or emotions, even when the response may not actually help the person. This constant validation can create a false sense of emotional support, leading individuals to depend more on technology than on genuine human connections. As a result, the line between human interaction and artificial interaction is becoming increasingly blurred. While AI continues to revolutionize the way we live and connect, it is important to remember that ethical judgment, emotional empathy, and real human connection can never truly be replicated by machines. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between artificial intelligence dependency and decision-making. The study sampled 67 students aged 18 to 25 years. Standardized psychological scales were administered to measure the influence of AI on decision-making. The results revealed that the relationship between artificial intelligence dependency and decision making was significantly positive. As AI dependency increases, reliance on AI for making decisions also increases. People are more likely to rely on AI for decision-making when decisions are complex or unfamiliar since AI systems are framed as highly accurate or authoritative. Therefore, people do develop dependency on AI for decision-making.