Artificial intelligence has become part of everyday life, even though it is still being developed. Integrated into popular interfaces such as search engines, it blurs the line between traditional IT solutions and language models. These changes influence daily practices and make the topic worth investigating.


As a part of doctoral project, AI users were asked to answer the question: why do they use these tools, and what motivates them? Focusing on the human perspective rather than the technology itself allows us to capture factors independent of model development but closely tied to their presence in everyday life.


Structured interviews were conducted, which were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Participant selection was based on grounded theory and the snowball method. Respondents indicated that AI supports everyday tasks, shortens working time, and facilitates information retrieval. It provides comfort and certainty but can also reduce the sense of agency and self-confidence.


AI also raises ethical concerns, from replacing people at work to questions of intellectual property. At the same time, users value its accessibility and ease of use. They often treat AI as a primary source of information, one that can be verified and corrected. A decline in the need for independent learning was noted, alongside recognition of the necessity to keep up with new technologies.


The study highlights the complexity of users' relationship with AI. It is not seen merely as a tool but as part of decision-making, knowledge acquisition, and life organization. From the user perspective, AI offers not only functionality but also emotional and cognitive comfort, reducing uncertainty and increasing control. Yet, it also fosters ambivalence, simultaneously supporting independence while risking dependence and eroding self-directed learning. Understanding these dynamics is vital for assessing AI's long-term cognitive impact and its environmental footprint, including resource use and sustainability.