We are living in an era where artificial intelligence is no longer a science fiction concept but has penetrated every corner of daily life. From a new smartphone to complex household appliances, AI is everywhere. This shift, whether you like it or not, is strongly affecting human behavior and thinking process. Every day, we face a huge amount of information, making many people feel overwhelmed and tired in making decisions.
Faced with this reality, researchers at Microsoft have conducted an in-depth report to understand how AI tools affect human psychology and behavior. The report has confirmed that the majority of users in the world are suffering from information overload. However, the most surprising thing discovered was the emotional reaction that humans feel with the support of AI: Relief.
Reducing the decisive burden
Microsoft's research shows a surprising discovery: 84% of respondents feel a positive emotion after using AI to make a decision, and the most felt emotion is relief. When using AI, they feel more control and confident in their final decisions.
This is happening because AI is becoming a trusted partner that helps people move forward when they need to make decisions, according to Nicci Trovinger, CEO of Windows at Microsoft. Ms. Trovinger explains that AI helps reduce the burden of deciding (decision fatigue). People see AI as a non- judging support, tailored to their specific questions, helping to reduce the burden of having to dig through the myriad of information out there.
AI is elevating the concept of useful technology by integrating human decision-making processes into technology. Previously, when handheld computers were introduced, they were quickly found to be useful because they provide quick answers; but users still need to know what to enter into the computer to get accurate answers. AI has taken a step forward, helping people think carefully about a situation and consider many options before giving an answer. More importantly, humans are still the ones to control the process, decide what to use the tool from and what to ignore.
Cultural and generational differences also create diverse AI experiences. The "AI generation" (born from 1995 to 2012) has never known a world without technology in daily life. For them, AI is just an extension and the next natural step in the development of PC, smartphones and the Internet. Research shows that students in the "AI Generation" tend to rank AI as a learning support tool more useful than books or personal mentors.
While older generations are adapting to AI at a slower pace and considering AI as a basic tool, younger generations expect AI tools to be available at work as part of their daily workflow. Both generations use two common AI products: General experience and specialized tools.
In contrast, specialized tools, such as AI agents, are designed specifically for a specific task that needs to be completed. These AI products are autonomous software, running independently in specific environments to achieve a goal. They use cognitive and reasoning abilities to act on behalf of users. A simple example is thehelp support chat feature that we often encounter. In the working environment, these agents appear as tools created for different aspects of work, such as programming code creation, marketing document construction, etc.
However, no matter how useful AI is, only 15% of consumers say they have complete trust in AI when making important decisions. Most people, even if they consult AI for help, still act intuitively, consult friends, family, or seek expert advice to make a final decision.
What AI is really doing is reshaping decision-making ideas. By helping people overcome uncertainty instead of avoiding it, research shows that AI is helping people believe in themselves enough to move forward. Ms. Trovinger affirmed: "We are human and AI is created to supplement us, not to make decisions on your behalf. We see a future where you always take control and AI respects your boundaries. It is technology that supports you, not technology itself".
Supporting human psychology
Meanwhile, adolescents are seeking emotional support from AI friends, a reality worth pondering about the spiritual needs of the younger generation. A recent study by Common sense Media has delved into how and why adolescents seek AI companions.
Research shows that 72% of adolescents, aged 13 to 17, have used AI companions at least once, and more than 50% are regular users. Of the teenagers surveyed, 40% said they seek friendship, support, or practice social interaction from these companions. Many people even confide in their AI friends and find these interactions equivalent to or more satisfying than real-life conversations.
However, most adolescents still look at these tools with a bit of skepticism and spend more time with real-life friends. However, the fact that a third of adolescents seek AI to express their feelings, practice conversations, or feel listened to shows an important psychological need that is being filled.
Although the report does not completely ban them, it reaffirms the need to be vigilant against teenagers using AI companions, and people under 18 should avoid using them uncontrollably. Seeking emotional support through AI can bring immediate relief and a sense of un judgement, but it cannot completely replace the depth, complexity and trust in human relationships.
In an era where machines are learning to "reationalise", preserving human emotions and privacy is a big challenge. AI can be a powerful psychological support tool, but there needs to be careful guidance to ensure that it does not become a place to escape reality or a place to leak personal information. The most important mission is still to help adolescents build social skills and seek emotional support from reliable sources in the real world, while still consciously using AI.
