The Copenhagen Symposium on Human-Centered Software Engineering AI is an invitation-only gathering held every November and is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Carlsberg Foundation. This exclusive event convenes research leaders in the software engineering community to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the field.
Concept
The symposium serves as a premier platform for high-level discussions on the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI into software engineering practices. Leading academics and industry experts engage through different sessions, collaborative workshops, and social activities.
Central to the symposium’s structure are dedicated workstreams, which focus on specific themes and challenges within human-centered AI adoption in software engineering. These workstreams promote continuous collaboration throughout the year, culminating in intensive, outcome-driven sessions during the symposium. This approach ensures that discussions are not only theoretical but also translate into actionable research agendas and practical solutions.
Key Themes and Discussions
- Transformation of Software Engineering Roles
- Address the shift from traditional coding to managing AI tools.
- Explore new roles such as AI Contingency Analysts and AI Capability Conductors.
- Trust and Ethical Implications in AI Integration
- Examine ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in AI systems.
- Highlight the importance of decision-making transparency and bias recognition.
- AI and Team Dynamics in Software Engineering
- Discuss the impact of AI on team structures, workflows, and collaboration.
- Investigate the emerging role of prompt engineering in AI integration.
- Awareness, Education, and Community Engagement in AI
- Emphasize broadening AI education to include diverse stakeholders.
- Focus on developing ethical frameworks and standardizing AI terminology.
- Future Outlook and Empowerment of Small Companies
- Speculate on the short to long-term outlook for generative AI in software engineering.
- Assess AI’s impact on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and support for small companies.
Participation and Engagement
The symposium prioritizes interactive engagement, employing innovative facilitation techniques such as Liberating Structures to foster dynamic discussions and meaningful exchanges. Liberating Structures are a set of simple, yet powerful methods designed to enhance collaboration and innovation by including and unleashing everyone in a group. These techniques range from structured conversations to spontaneous, creative processes, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
Using Liberating Structures at the symposium helps break down traditional hierarchies and barriers, encouraging open dialogue and creative problem-solving. This approach ensures that attendees have ample opportunities to network, share research insights, and build collaborative relationships. By facilitating inclusive and engaging sessions, Liberating Structures promotes a deeper understanding of the topics discussed and drives the co-creation of innovative solutions. This method not only enhances participant interaction but also ensures that the symposium’s outcomes are practical, impactful, and widely supported by the community.
The Copenhagen Manifesto
A significant outcome of the symposium is the Copenhagen Manifesto, a cornerstone document that originated from the collaborative efforts of participants. The Manifesto emphasizes the importance of ethical, human-centered approaches to AI integration in software engineering. It outlines core values such as responsibility, transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability, providing a framework for the development and application of AI technologies in a manner that prioritizes human dignity, agency, and collective wellbeing.
The Copenhagen Manifesto has had a profound impact on the field, serving as a guiding document for researchers and practitioners worldwide. It has been instrumental in shaping policies and best practices for ethical AI development, ensuring that technological advancements align with societal values.
