Artificial Intelligence (AI) can recognize and translate languages, solve complex scientific problems, identify, create, and block cyber threats, generate, and modify images, and operate vehicles autonomously. As artificial intelligence emerges and changes many aspects of human social and work life, what will be its impact on family, science, and nature? How will we adapt to the scale and scope of change? What contributions will Bowen Family Systems Theory offer?

AI and the Human: Exploring Adaptation presented by the Western Pennsylvania Family Center (WPFC) is designed to explore the interplay of AI and human adaptation using the ideas rooted in Bowen Theory. Dr. Murray Bowen’s ideas position the human family as a natural system, governed by the same evolutionary forces present in all natural systems, also impacted by AI.

The theory details the capacity of the human to observe these forces across systems including the family, take responsibility for one’s part in automatic responses, and work to function in a deliberate and purposeful way while maintaining contact with important others. Meeting the complex challenges posed

by AI will require the best humans have to offer. The ideas in Bowen Theory support development of this human capability.

The faculty of WPFC invites you to join Dr. Brian Caffo, Professor of Biostatistics, Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University whose research interest areas include neuroimaging and the processing and analysis of big data, who will present and lead the discussion on AI. WPFC Faculty members, Dr. Walter Smith, Ms. Sandra Caffo, Ms. Ashley North & Dr. Arthur Zipris will present on Bowen theory. The day will focus on discussion of presented material among presenters and participants alike.