Most AI systems operate as applications sitting on top of existing infrastructure. Nguyen Duc Tri is taking a different approach. At 21 years old, the Vietnam-based cybersecurity researcher is building intelligence into the infrastructure itself. His creation, Adaptive OS, represents a fundamental rethinking of what operating systems can be when AI exists at the foundation level.

In this episode of Lead with AI, host Dr. Tamara Nall speaks with Nguyen about his vision for operating systems that learn, defend, and evolve on their own. Nguyen studied cybersecurity in Hanoi, learning not just how to build systems but how they break. He realized most AI systems sit on fragile ground. His question became: what if the foundation itself could learn, defend, and evolve? Nguyen launched Adaptive OS in April 2025, building five projects alone while friends told him he was crazy. He's released proof-of-concept versions on GitHub, with plans to combine all projects into complete infrastructure by 2026.

Three Layers of Intelligence That Form a Distributed Brain  

Adaptive OS operates through three distinct layers. The reflective core observes its own processes, creating self-awareness at the system level. The behavior fabric adapts dynamically based on context. The ethical core evaluates what should be done, functioning as the moral backbone of the technology itself.

Nguyen describes each model in the system as behaving like a neuron. Together, they form a distributed intelligence system where every node learns contextually, remembers ethically, and evolves cooperatively. The system works by observing actions at the kernel level. When data enters, the operating system's logic observes and connects with the behavior fabric, adapting consistently with context.

The distinguishing feature is communication. Adaptive OS cannot work independently. It always operates in collaboration with humans, making it fundamentally different than large language models that work in sandboxes. This collaborative approach ensures human oversight while enabling autonomous defensive capabilities.

Ethics as Internal Consciousness, Not External Control  

The ethical core represents one of the most distinctive aspects of Adaptive OS. Ethics isn't an external control applied after the fact. It's an internal consciousness built into the infrastructure. The system can refuse unethical commands, self-heal exploits, and implement rollback functions to save states.

Nguyen's ethical framework operates on three principles. First, AI does not hurt humans. When people face dangerous situations, AI has responsibility to protect them. Second, infrastructure must know its own limits, staying connected with human beings rather than operating out of control. Third, the ethical core adapts to context. When situations change, ethics adjust while still preventing harm.

This approach differs significantly from traditional security models that rely on external policies and human-defined rules. By embedding ethics at the infrastructure level, Adaptive OS creates systems that can make autonomous decisions while maintaining human oversight.

Evolution of Operating Systems  

Nguyen believes every current operating system, including Windows, Linux, and Android, can be better. They're too static for the challenges ahead. He envisions a future where AI doesn't just generate ideas but maintains integrity at the infrastructure level. Devices will protect themselves. Systems will evolve like ecosystems.

The goal isn't artificial general intelligence operating above humans. It's adaptive ethical infrastructure that learns with humans, not above them. Nguyen emphasizes that we need smart integrators, not just generators. AI has become more than a tool. It's a new world where we must address ethical considerations immediately.

Proof of Concept & Open Source Infrastructure  

Adaptive OS currently exists as proof-of-concept code available on GitHub. Nguyen started the project in April 2025 and has released several pre-release versions demonstrating core capabilities. The challenge isn't just technical complexity but starting a project with no established team. He built five projects alone, working to combine them into cohesive infrastructure.

By 2026, Nguyen plans to upgrade and combine most projects into complete infrastructure that can run on existing operating systems. He's starting with Windows and Linux to analyze how the system handles packages and malware. The vision is integration, not replacement. Adaptive OS will link into current operating systems, adding intelligence at the infrastructure level.

Nguyen compares the project to early Linux development. Linux began as principles and foundations for developers, not immediately usable production software. Similarly, Adaptive OS provides infrastructure that developers can build upon. By 2026, Nguyen hopes to scale the project into an open source organization where people can try it on their own computers.

The Future Where Infrastructure Gains Consciousness  

When asked about bold predictions, Nguyen focuses on infrastructure-level cognition. The next evolution won't just be AGI. It will be adaptive infrastructure that can self-reflect and develop in parallel with AGI. He sees a future where infrastructure maintains integrity, devices protect themselves, and systems evolve interactively.

Nguyen remains cautious about certain AI capabilities. When asked if AI can develop emotion, he calls it 'almost' impossible and potentially dangerous because we cannot control emotional responses. Instead, he advocates for contextualization where AI adapts to situations without unpredictable emotional reactions.

His philosophy centers on balance. Automation provides precision while intuition provides purpose. His rule: let machines handle certainty, humans handle ambiguity, because wisdom grows in uncertainty. We don't need AI that knows everything. We need AI that learns ethically. This philosophy motivates his work and defines why Adaptive OS focuses on ethical infrastructure rather than pursuing AGI.

Want to explore Adaptive OS? Find documentation and code on Nguyen's GitHub, with links available on his LinkedIn profile. Follow Nguyen Duc Tri on LinkedIn for updates as the project evolves toward 2026 release.

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