Attention & Focus under Digital Load 2026 (Dataset, n = 353)

This dataset is part of the Human Clarity Institute’s AI–Human Experience 2026 data series. It examines focus capacity and digital cognitive load in AI-mediated information environments, including sustained attention stability, mental saturation and effort escalation, and behavioural disengagement patterns during digital overload.

The dataset includes:
• validated 1–7 Likert-scale items
• self-reported measures of sustained attention, interruption recovery, and cognitive effort
• behavioural indicators of disengagement frequency and focus disruption
• multi-select variables stored as canonical semicolon-delimited snake_case tokens
• open-text reflections with minimal safe cleaning (trim + newline removal only)
• demographic variables across six English-speaking countries
• digital life exposure (daily hours online) and AI-tool usage frequency

Data were collected on 10 February 2026 via Prolific from adults in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, 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 multi-select formats
• minimal safe text cleaning
• full alignment with the accompanying data dictionary
• removal of Prolific IDs and timestamps
• SHA-256 checksums for all files

This dataset contributes to understanding how digital information density and AI-mediated environments influence sustained focus, cognitive strain, and decision engagement, supporting longitudinal tracking of human cognitive resilience and behavioural adaptation in AI-integrated digital life, and the evolving cognitive relationship between humans and AI in everyday life.