Using Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Complex Systems

Abstract: The systems engineering process for designing complex products and services decomposes a complex problem into multiple well-defined technical problems solvable by specialists. Systems engineering then integrates these individual solutions into a cohesive, functional response to the complex problem. The process involves defining requirements for the complex problem, translating those requirements into requirements for more well-defined technical problems, verifying and integrating the solutions, and tracking how well the integrated solution addresses the complex problem. Requirement management and model-based systems engineering software are used to develop use cases, translate them into requirements, track those requirements, etc. Separate software packages are needed for data analysis, architecture selection and verification, and method selection. This paper focuses on how AI can enhance systems engineering. Historical experience has shown that the successful introduction of a new technology, e.g., manufacturing robots, requires that existing processes be re-engineered to leverage the advances of that technology. This paper presents a re-engineering framework of the four stages of systems engineering, highlighting opportunities for the effective integration of artificial intelligence.