Background <p>Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized healthcare, offering opportunities to improve decision-making and patient outcomes. However, dependency on AI among health professionals and students raises concerns regarding its role in healthcare delivery. This study aimed to develop and validate a scale to assess AI dependency among healthcare professionals and students, exploring its dual role as a “Helping Hand” or “Barrier”.</p> Methodology <p>A mixed-methods study was conducted in two steps. The qualitative phase in-depth interviews and group discussions were conducted with healthcare professionals and students to identify factors influencing AI dependency. The findings helped to develop a preliminary scale with 7 items. In the quantitative phase, the scale was tested on a larger sample (<i>n</i> = 374) for psychometric evaluation. The Reliability and validity was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and conformatory factor analysis.</p> Results <p>The outcome measure consists of excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.799). The factor analysis (ANOVA, t test) is confirmed to be a good model with a significant p value of 0.000. The study findings show that the outcome measure is reliable and valid to evaluate the AI dependency in students and healthcare professionals.</p> Conclusion <p>The newly developed scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing AI dependency among health professionals and students. Insights from this scale can guide strategies to balance AI integration, ensuring it serves as a helping hand rather than a barrier in healthcare.</p>