The evolution and reconstruction of digital addiction: from compulsive consumption in the internet era to symbiotic dependence in the artificial intelligence era

With the development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), human-computer interaction has shifted from a primarily instrumental function to a more human-like symbiotic relationship. However, current research on digital addiction (DA) remains limited to the compulsive consumption characteristic of the Web 2.0 era and does not adequately address the new pathological features emerging with AI. This study uses a narrative review method to systematically trace the evolution from internet addiction disorder to smartphone addiction, and subsequently to AI addiction. Research indicates that DA has progressed from dopamine-driven sensory pursuits to anthropomorphic interaction and cognitive offloading, now influenced by oxytocin and the law of cognitive economy. Building on these findings, this article introduces the concept of “intelligent symbiotic digital addiction,” which encompasses “algorithmic intimacy disorder” at the emotional level and “generative dependency syndrome” at the cognitive level. Additionally, it presents the “dual-track drive” pathological theory of cognitive and emotional symbiosis, analyzes the internal mechanisms of subjectivity alienation, offers new perspectives for addressing pathological challenges in the AI era, and suggests directions for future algorithm ethics oversight and clinical intervention.