Please join us on Wednesday, 17 June, 2026, for a HYBRID presentation by Mr. Ken Cureton, Chair of the INCOSE Resilient Systems Working Group, on solving complex problems using Artificial Intelligence (AI). This presentation will be held at the Sapphire Indian Restaurant in Rancho Bernardo!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Date: Wednesday, 17 June 2026, from 5:30-7pm Pacific Time (presentation starts at 6pm)

Location: Sapphire Indian Restaurant, 16785 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92128 (Google Maps)

Cost: FREE! There is an optional dinner (Indian food, soft drinks) at $5 for INCOSE members and students, $15 for non-members. Please RSVP below.

Zoom Info: https://incose-org.zoom.us/j/88338821096?pwd=bTa923S6IbRYbda1yoFXACI5HnxLGK.1

Meeting ID: 883 3882 1096
Passcode: 061981

Join by Telephone: 669-444-9171 (same login info as above)

SYNOPSIS

Systems Engineers are often confronted with complex, complicated, difficult, and wicked problems. The INCOSE Complex Systems Working Group is developing a Tradecraft Guide to assist with such problems. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Grok, Gemini, and others can of great value in showing how to effectively use that resource. This presentation describes a systematic approach that may be useful in developing potential solutions to complex problems.

First, AI can assist in addressing the correct problem, and all of that problem– not just a portion of the problem space. Next, users of the guide may face challenges in selecting from the many analytical methods presented in the guide or may lack sufficient time to consider all possibilities. AI tools can assist in formulating an analysis plan for complex systems.

Next, many people are struggling with AI prompt engineering, so a comprehensive set of tailorable prompts are presented in the guide. This will help Systems Engineers with technical, ethical, legal, and organizational considerations regarding use of AI in analyses.

And finally, any AI-generated analysis should be validated before implementation, so the user is guided in accomplishing such validation, along with a reminder of limitations of AI-assisted analysis and the need for documentation and record keeping.

PRESENTER: Mr. Ken Cureton

Kenneth L. Cureton holds a BS in Physics from California State University Los Angeles and an MS in Systems Architecting and Engineering from USC, where he has served as a part-time lecturer since 1996. He retired from Boeing (heritage Rockwell) after 29 years, with additional experience spanning 16 years in commercial and government sectors. His expertise includes enterprise systems architecting and engineering, system-of-systems modeling and integration, complex networked systems interoperability, resilience engineering, and avionics design for manned and unmanned space systems.

Mr. Cureton chairs the INCOSE Resilient Systems Working Group and serves on AIAA Space Settlement and Systems Engineering Technical Committees. He previously co-chaired the IEEE SMC MBSE Working Group and served as Technical Council Chair Emeritus for the NCO Industry Consortium.

RSVP deadline is past

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PLEASE JOIN US on Thursday, August 13th, from 6-8pm, for our 2026 FREE Summer Social & Membership Drive at Oggi’s in Carmel Mountain Ranch! This event will feature free pizza, wings, salads, and soft drinks (alcoholic beverages will be the responsibility of the guests). Note – new location!

The San Diego chapter has just been awarded the INCOSE Platinum Circle Award for the 8th straight year! Come help us celebrate this incredible achievement!!!

Also, please bring a guest or two who might be interested in joining INCOSE. All food and soft drinks are FREE!

VITAL INFORMATION

DATE: Thursday, August 13th, 2026 from 6-8pm Pacific Time

NEW LOCATION: Oggi’s Sports Brewhouse in Carmel Mountain Ranch (San Diego), 10155 Rancho Carmel Dr, San Diego, CA 92128 (Google Maps)

COST: Free! Please bring a guest as well!

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The INCOSE Los Angeles and San Diego chapters cordially invite you to join us at our In-Person 2-Day INCOSE 2026 Joint Technical Conference from November 7-8, 2026 at Caltech in Pasadena, California.

This year’s conference theme is 250 Years and Beyond of Systems Engineering.

Please go to the following page to see full information on submitting an abstract! Deadline: Sept 8th, 2026.

*** HOW TO SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT ***

WHY ATTEND THE 2026 CONFERENCE?

• 2 full days of insightful presentations, hands-on tutorials, keynotes, and panel discussions
• At $99 for INCOSE members, this is an exceptional value at a time when most conference fees are increasing substantially
• After-conference events
• Opportunity to network and exchange ideas with other professional Systems Engineers
• Paper exam for INCOSE SEP certification (to be offered on Friday, Nov 6th, the day before the conference)
• Free parking

WHEN & WHERE

This year’s event will be held from 9am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, Nov 7th and 8th, 2026, at Caltech University in Pasadena, CA. The exact campus location is forthcoming and will soon be posted here on this webpage.

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL (SEP) PAPER EXAM

We’re also offering the INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) paper exam the Friday before (Nov 6th).

The cost for taking the exam is FREE for INCOSE Los Angeles and San Diego chapter members, $30 for other INCOSE chapter members, and $40 for non-INCOSE members.

Please note that exam seating is limited! If you are interested and prepared to take the exam, please email us at info@sdincose.org.

CONFERENCE PRICE

Regular INCOSE Member: $99, Non-INCOSE Member: $149, Senior (65+) INCOSE Member: $39, Senior (65+) Non-INCOSE Member: $59, Student: $25.Register below (uses PayPal).

NOTE – please sign up in advance! This greatly helps us in planning the food orders. Thank you.

Note that presenters (up to 2 per presentation) receive a 50% discount. Please contact us for Discount Code.

MORE ON LOCATION

The exact location of the conference, paper exam, and after-hours events will be posted soon.

AFTER HOURS EVENTS

Saturday, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Yard House, 300 East Colorado Blvd Suite 220 Pasadena, CA 91101

PARKING

Caltech parking is FREE on weekends.

FOOD

More information on conference food and refreshments is forthcoming.

KEYNOTES

Keynote information is forthcoming.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

The program schedule is forthcoming. CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS will be sent in late July early August. Please contract us at info@sdincose.org if you would like to present at the conference – thank you!

SPONSORS

We will be posting more on our 2026 conference sponsor packages soon. In the meanwhile, please see the following sponsor tiering. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Rich Hefner at: rhefner@caltech.edu

HOTELS

There are many hotel options in the greater Pasadena/Caltech area. Please see below for several good options:

Hilton Pasadena
168 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena
About 1 mile from Caltech. Full-service hotel with restaurant, pool, fitness center. Convenient for both Caltech and Old Pasadena.

Pasadena Hotel & Pool
928 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
About 0.8 miles from Caltech. Walkable to restaurants and shopping on Colorado Boulevard. Outdoor pool, modern rooms, good value for visitors to campus.

Pasadena Rose & Crown Hotel
1203 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
About 0.8 miles from Caltech. Free parking and breakfast. Budget-friendly option with strong guest reviews.

Langham Huntington, Pasadena
1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena
About 1 mile from Caltech. Luxury resort-style property. Spa, gardens, multiple restaurants, elegant accommodations.

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Pasadena
1599 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
About 0.9–1.0 mile from Caltech. Budget-friendly. Free parking and breakfast.

Hotel Dena, Pasadena (Tribute Portfolio)
Downtown Pasadena, 303 Cordova St, Pasadena, CA 91101
About 1.2 miles from Caltech. Stylish Marriott-affiliated hotel. Easy access to restaurants and shopping.

Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
Old Pasadena, 180 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
About 1.7 miles from Caltech. Great location for dining and evening activities. Marriott rewards eligible

CONTACT US

Please feel free to contact us anytime at info@sdincose.org. Thank you.

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