The Lab · AI Engineering & Systems Thinking

Deconstructing AI engineering through the lens of systems thinking.

A public research log exploring the messy reality of building with AI. No hype-just hands-on experiments, cognitive models, and honest lessons from an aspiring engineer learning in public.

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Unpack complex AI systems with practical, long-form analysis and frameworks.

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Actionable guidance for engineers and technical leaders, not just theorists.

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Make smarter trade-offs, avoid hidden risks, and create scalable impact.

Inside The Lab

Explore ideas and frameworks for building intelligent systems.

In-depth essays and practical notes on AI engineering, systems thinking, and the real-world trade-offs behind building with intelligence.

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Desmond L.Nguyen
Desmond L.Nguyen
FOUNDER · LAB NOTES
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Recent Writing

Long-form, obsessively researched.

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AI· Oct 10 · 7 min read

The Deskilling Ledger: What You Lose Every Time You Let AI Think For You

CHI 2025 found 40% of AI-assisted tasks involved zero critical thinking. A framework for understanding cognitive offloading costs — and when the tradeoff is worth it.

AI· Oct 10 · 7 min read

The 5.5% Inconvenient Truth About Enterprise AI ROI

McKinsey found 88% of orgs use AI but only 5.5% achieve real business impact. A structural analysis of why most enterprise AI investment produces no measurable value.

AI· Oct 10 · 7 min read

The 19% Problem: Why Your AI-Assisted Code Is Slower Than You Think

METR's RCT found developers 19% slower with AI despite predicting 20% faster. A rigorous look at the 39-point perception gap and what it means for your workflow.

Blog· Oct 10 · 9 min read

AI in 2026: A Clear-Eyed Map of Real Opportunities and Real Risks

A rigorous, evidence-grounded analysis of where AI creates genuine leverage and where it introduces real risk in 2026 — without the hype or the alarm. Decision frameworks for engineers, founders, and knowledge workers.

AI Security· Oct 10 · 10 min read

The Expanding Attack Surface: Security Risks When AI Agents Run Your Business

As AI agents gain autonomous tool access — browsing, writing, executing code — the attack surface expands dramatically. A rigorous breakdown of prompt injection, data exfiltration, and agentic risk for individuals and organizations.

AI· Oct 10 · 5 min read

10 Shifts in AI Operational Mindset You Need in 2025

Most teams use AI wrong—not bad tools, but bad mental models. Here are 10 operational mindset shifts separating teams capturing real value from those stuck

Desmond L.Nguyen
Est. 2024
About the lab

Writing at the
intersection of
machines & minds.

"We don't need more AI hype. We need clearer thinking about what these tools actually do — and what they ask of us in return."
— Desmond L.Nguyen

Tech&MindSet Lab is a reader-supported publication studying the overlap of cognitive psychology and production AI systems.