▲ WHITE PAPER · UNTANGLE LAB · 2026
▲ WHITE PAPER · UNTANGLE LAB · 2026
THE
INVISIBLE
LAYER.
THE
INVISIBLE
LAYER.
THE
INVISIBLE
LAYER.
Why AI adoption fails on the surface, and how to build the foundation that makes it last.
Why AI adoption fails on the surface, and how to build the foundation that makes it last.
Explore the thinking
▲ 01 / THE IDEA
AI adoption has an invisible layer.
AI adoption has an invisible layer.
Most organisations focus on what’s visible: AI strategies, tools, pilots and roadmaps.
But what determines whether adoption succeeds often sits underneath.
How people think about AI.
What they understand.
What they fear.
What they believe is possible.
Most organisations focus on what’s visible: AI strategies, tools, pilots and roadmaps.
But what determines whether adoption succeeds often sits underneath.
How people think about AI.
What they understand.
What they fear.
What they believe is possible.
01
SUMMIT
WHAT YOU DO
Strategy · Pilots · Tools · Roadmaps
01
SUMMIT
WHAT YOU DO
Strategy · Pilots · Tools · Roadmaps
02
ACCLIMATISATION
ACCLIMATISATION
WHAT YOU THINK
Mindset · Understanding · Knowledge
02
ACCLIMATISATION
WHAT YOU THINK
Mindset · Understanding · Knowledge
03
BASE CAMP
WHAT YOU WANT
Fears · Assumptions · Ambitions · Drivers
03
BASE CAMP
WHAT YOU WANT
Fears · Assumptions · Ambitions · Drivers
“The climb rarely fails at the summit.
It fails at the skipped foundation.”
“The climb rarely fails at the summit.
It fails at the skipped foundation.”
“The climb rarely fails at the summit.
It fails at the skipped foundation.”
▲ 02 / THE PUBLICATION
The thinking behind the invisible layer.
The thinking behind the invisible layer.
The thinking behind the invisible layer.
The Invisible Layer explores why AI adoption stalls despite investment in technology, strategy and transformation.
Grounded in organisational psychology, responsible innovation and research, it offers leaders a different place to start: the mindset underneath their AI ambitions.
The Invisible Layer explores why AI adoption stalls despite investment in technology, strategy and transformation.
Grounded in organisational psychology, responsible innovation and research, it offers leaders a different place to start: the mindset underneath their AI ambitions.
WHITE PAPER / OCTOBER 2026
FIELD EDITION № 02
BY MAXIME LUBBERS & VINCENT MCLEESE
32 PAGES / APPROX. 25 MIN READ
Read the whitepaper
Download PDF
▲ 03 / PERSPECTIVES
A different conversation about AI adoption.
A different conversation about AI adoption.
UNTANGLE LAB × NLMTD
AI adoption is not simply a technology challenge. It’s a leadership challenge.
AI adoption is not simply a technology challenge. It’s a leadership challenge.
Together with nlmtd, Untangle Lab explores what organisations overlook when they focus on implementation before understanding the people behind it.
Together with nlmtd, Untangle Lab explores what organisations overlook when they focus on implementation before understanding the people behind it.
Read the perspective
▲ 04 / AN INVITATION
A conversation worth having.
A conversation worth having.
An intimate roundtable for the people responsible for making AI adoption work.
An intimate roundtable for the people responsible for making AI adoption work.
26.11
26.11
26.11
26.11
26 NOVEMBER 2026
THE NETHERLANDS
INVITATION ONLY
Together with nlmtd, we’re bringing together a small group of AI and transformation leaders to explore the invisible layer behind AI adoption.
Together with nlmtd, we’re bringing together a small group of AI and transformation leaders to explore the invisible layer behind AI adoption.
Not another conversation about tools or roadmaps.
An opportunity to examine the real challenges inside our organisations, share perspectives with peers, and explore what responsible, lasting adoption requires.
Not another conversation about tools or roadmaps.
An opportunity to examine the real challenges inside our organisations, share perspectives with peers, and explore what responsible, lasting adoption requires.
01 / YOUR OWN PERSPECTIVE
Discover your individual AI Mindset profile before the session.
01 / YOUR OWN PERSPECTIVE
Discover your individual AI Mindset profile before the session.
02 / THE COLLECTIVE PICTURE
Explore how different AI mindsets shape decisions and challenges across the group.
02 / THE COLLECTIVE PICTURE
Explore how different AI mindsets shape decisions and challenges across the group.
03 / PEER EXCHANGE
Bring a real organisational challenge and examine it with experienced AI leaders.
03 / PEER EXCHANGE
Bring a real organisational challenge and examine it with experienced AI leaders.
A deliberately small group.
Selected for the conversation, not the numbers.
A deliberately small group.
Selected for the conversation, not the numbers.
Start a conversation
▲ 05 / THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES
Ideas worth sharing.
Conversations worth continuing.
Ideas worth sharing.
Conversations worth continuing.
The Invisible Layer is an ongoing conversation about the human foundations of responsible AI adoption.
Through talks, publications and gatherings, we explore what it takes to move quickly and rightly.
The Invisible Layer is an ongoing conversation about the human foundations of responsible AI adoption.
Through talks, publications and gatherings, we explore what it takes to move quickly and rightly.
01 / TALKS
TEDx Talk
An upcoming talk exploring the human side of AI adoption and the invisible foundations of meaningful change.
COMING SOON
01 / TALKS
TEDx Talk
An upcoming talk exploring the human side of AI adoption and the invisible foundations of meaningful change.
COMING SOON
02 / FUTURE GATHERINGS
Future Roundtables
Small, carefully curated conversations bringing together leaders navigating the challenges of AI adoption.
MORE TO FOLLOW
02 / FUTURE GATHERINGS
Future Roundtables
Small, carefully curated conversations bringing together leaders navigating the challenges of AI adoption.
MORE TO FOLLOW
UNTANGLE LAB · FOUNDING CONVICTION
UNTANGLE LAB · FOUNDING CONVICTION
Quickly,
and rightly.
Both. Not either.
Quickly,
and rightly.
Both. Not either.
Quickly,
and rightly.
Both. Not either.
Quickly,
and rightly.
Both. Not either.
We believe responsible AI adoption should not come at the expense of progress.
The opportunity is to move quickly and rightly. To build the foundation that makes both possible.