INCOSE Finger Lakes Chapter Meeting April 2025: Systems Engineering in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
INCOSE Finger Lakes Chapter Meeting April 2025: Systems Engineering in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Date: 04/17/2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenter/Author: Thomas A. (Tom) McDermott
Abstract: The exponential growth in applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine automation have started to and will continue to shift the practice of systems engineering and the software and engineering disciplines. For the past 30 years, new types of systems have been evolving that are more adaptable, more interconnected, and more distributed in their scope and governance. Now we are introducing learning-based systems and operationally interactive human-machine teaming. Systems engineering (SE) in practice has traditionally conducted analysis at design decision points assuming designs will persist indefinitely. Systems are now defined by software and the value comes from adaptability not persistence. SE in practice has also traditionally segregated the human from the engineered system as a design principle. In 2019, the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), which is a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) sponsored by the US Defense Department, developed a series of roadmaps to guide research in four key areas of systems engineering: digital engineering, velocity & agility, security, and artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy. Using the AI and Autonomy for SE research roadmap, this talk will discuss the expected co-evolution of Systems Engineering and AI technology, how the practice of SE is changing to reflect this, and the implications of these for workforce development.
Biography: Tom McDermott is the Chief Technology Officer of the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC) and a faculty member in the School of Systems and Enterprises at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. With the SERC he develops new research strategies and is leading research on digital transformation, education, security, and artificial intelligence applications. He previously held roles as Faculty and Director of Research at Georgia Tech Research Institute and as Director and Integrated Product Team Manager for the F-22 Raptor Avionics team at Lockheed Martin. Mr. McDermott teaches system architecture, systems and critical thinking, and leadership. He provides executive level consulting as a systems engineering and organizational strategy expert. He is a fellow of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) and recently completed 3 years as INCOSE Director of Strategic Integration.
This meeting will be on Thursday, Apr 17, 6 – 7:30 pm (eastern). Attendees need to pre-register. To register, send an email to
[email protected] If you wish to attend in person, contact Susan to see if a host site is available near you. The zoom link will be sent out a few days before the meeting. For in-person attendees L3Harris in Rochester): Further instructions will be sent out before the meeting. There is no cost to attend the meeting