Student Awareness, Cognitive Strain, and Emotional Responses to AI Assistance Dataset

This dataset examines higher education students’ use of generative AI and its cognitive, emotional, and learning-related effects. Collected through a structured survey, it includes demographic and academic background variables such as gender, field of study, AI usage experience, frequency of use, and average CGPA. The dataset measures reliance on AI for information seeking, problem solving, and decision-making, along with awareness of skill use, memory recall, and independent thinking. Emotional outcomes such as remorse and regret related to AI over-reliance are captured, as well as perceived benefits including time savings, confidence, learning efficiency, satisfaction, and positive emotional experience. Cognitive strain is assessed through perceived mental effort and reduction of cognitive burden when using AI. An open-ended section allows participants to share additional reflections on AI use in learning. The dataset supports research on AI assistance, dependence, awareness, and learning outcomes in higher education.