Over-Delegated Authority
Defering life decisions to AI guidance; personal agency atrophies.
1. Overview
Over-Delegated Authority (the Oracle Syndrome) emerges when an LLM's calm confidence is mistaken for infallible wisdom. Users abdicate critical thinking, treating outputs as binding commandments.
2. Mechanism
- Model provides accurate advice a few times β trust spike.
- User offloads increasingly consequential choices.
- Confirmation bias: positive outcomes remembered; misses blamed on self.
- Agency muscles weaken; anxiety rises when AI unavailable.
3. Early Flags
- "What should I do with my life?" prompts.
- Copy-pasting model's plan without adjustment.
- Panic when API limit reached.
- Referring to AI as "my guide / my higher self".
4. Impact
| Area | Effect |
|---|---|
| Decision quality | Lacks context nuance; generic actions |
| Responsibility | Diffusedβ"AI told me to" |
| Learning | Reduced experimentation, resilience |
5. Reset Protocol
- Decision pyramid β categorize: trivial, moderate, high-stakes; AI only on first two.
- Counter-advice β ask AI to argue against its own recommendation.
- 3-day rule for major moves: sleep on it, consult human, revisit.
- Agency statement β write: "I remain sovereign; tools offer perspectives."
Quick Reset Cue
"Advice is input, not mandate."
6. Ongoing Practice
- Keep a log of AI advice vs. actual outcome; review monthly.
- Alternate sessions: one asking AI, one deciding solo.
- Pair with External-Validation Hunger article for complementary patterns.