The INCOSE International Symposium is the premier international forum where practitioners, researchers, and educators share their insights, experiences, and innovations, furthering the practice of systems engineering. The symposium has occurred every year since 1991 and is the largest annual gathering of the systems engineering community.

Beyond Digital Engineering: Seeking Wa in SE

While Digital Engineering (DE) continues to be a driving force in developing complex systems, today’s societal challenges demand a more profound leap forward. The 2026 symposium will center on harmonizing emerging technologies with the irreplaceable power of human creativity and Kansei (sensibility), all guided by Wa, the Japanese concept of harmony.

How can Human Systems Integration (HSI) forge this essential synergy and effectively blend human ingenuity, Kansei, and advanced technologies like AI? What vital skills will systems engineers need to thrive in this new era of evolving DE? This focus on a human-centric, nature-harmonized approach will illuminate the path for systems engineering to not just adapt, but to lead the shaping of our future world.