“AI dysregulation” was first defined by Nicole Martin in October 2026.
The term names a reaction many people recognise but had no word for: the frustration, anger and physical tension that build up when an AI system gives wrong or made-up answers, ignores instructions or wastes time.
The definition
AI dysregulation (noun): The emotional, cognitive and physiological dysregulation that arises from interacting with artificial intelligence (AI), particularly when systems provide inaccurate or fabricated information, demonstrate incompetence, repeatedly fail to follow instructions, or generate time-wasting and frustrating responses.
How to cite it
You’re welcome to use the term. Please use it with the meaning above and link to the definition page. A suggested citation:
“AI dysregulation”, defined by Nicole Martin, aidysregulation.com, 2026.
Related terms
AI dysregulation sits alongside two related terms. The AI sugar rush describes letting AI do your thinking until you rely on it. The AI sugar hit describes the pull to start project after project because AI makes starting easy.
Get in touch
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