Abstract

The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into daily life raises questions about our evolving relationship with technology. While quantitative studies have explored usage patterns and potential addiction-like behaviors, these models often fail to capture the depth of the psychological connection some individuals form with their devices. This mixed-methods study investigates the phenomenon of feeling "Incomplete Without Tech," exploring how reliance, trust, and emotional responses differ based on self-reported tech-nical savviness. Quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in reliance on AI-powered recommendations and predictions for the tech-savvy group, but not for general AI usage or habit formation. Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses unpacked themes of convenience, task-specific trust, and concerns over autonomy and accuracy. Crucially, narratives surrounding tech absence re-vealed strong negative emotions, including a sense of 'incompleteness' across tech-savviness levels. This suggests reliance on AI might extend beyond func-tional utility and fulfill psychological needs traditionally met by other means. Findings challenge the adequacy of addiction-based models and highlight the need for new frameworks to understand how AI might shape our sense of self, potentially influencing well-being and resilience in an increasingly tech-saturated world.
Keywords: AI reliance, tech dependence, Incomplete Without Tech.