The document presents a first step towards using artificial intelligence to assist with model-based systems engineering (MBSE). It trains a named entity recognition model using 100 sentences to identify actors and use cases from text. This could help accelerate early MBSE adoption phases like creating model libraries. However, more work is needed to develop a coherent foundation and enhance the text-to-model tool. Combining AI and MBSE competencies may enable generating partial SysML models automatically from textual requirements or specifications.

1. A First Step
towards AI
for MBSE:
Mohammad Chami – Chami Consulting
Christophe Zoghbi – ZAKA SAL
Jean-Michel Bruel – University of Toulouse
Generating a
Part of SysML
Models from
Text Using AI
http://www.kr.inf.uc3m.es/ai4se/
Publication available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337338933

2. MBSE Adoption Components
2/23
Modeling Language
Modeling Method
Modeling Tool
Personnel
Process
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
Source: Chami et al. Towards Solving
MBSE Adoption Challenges: The D3
MBSE Adoption Toolbox, INCOSE IS 2018
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327071341

3. MBSE Adoption Components
Modeling Language
Modeling Method
Modeling Tool
Personnel
Process
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
MBSE discussions often
center on technical details
rather than understanding
the human factor, i.e., the
personnel involved in the
MBSE adoption and what
effects they have.
3/23
Source: Chami et al. Towards Solving
MBSE Adoption Challenges: The D3
MBSE Adoption Toolbox, INCOSE IS 2018
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327071341

4. Problem Formulation – MBSE Transition
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
4/23

5. 10 Years of Observations on Most Common
Questions Asked in the MBSE Community:
Why should I model?
How should I model?
How should I use and manage
models efficiently?
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
5/23
Scope

6. We Ask Ourselves
instead of focusing solely on
delivering intelligent products, why
not support their design with the
help of some assistance and
intelligent environments?
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
6/23

7. Problem Formulation – MBSE Transition
A typical transition into MBSE involves:
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
7/23

8. Problem Formulation – MBSE Transition
A typical transition into MBSE involves:
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
QUICK&DIRTY
SOLUTION
8/23

9. Problem Formulation – MBSE Transition
A typical transition into MBSE involves:
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
QUICK&CLEAN
SOLUTION
9/23

10. Problem Formulation – MBSE Transition
A typical transition into MBSE involves:
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
SUSTAINABLE
SOLUTION
10/23
?

11. The Approach: Text-to-Model
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
*https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip1_n.aspx?p=CONNECTA
With an example from the rail sector (CONNECTA*)
▪ Plan
▪ Analyze
▪ Embrace
▪ Train
▪ Define
▪ Develop
▪ Verify
▪ Validate
▪ Manage
▪ …
Systems Model
11/23

12. The Approach: Be Different
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
*https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip1_n.aspx?p=CONNECTA
With an example from the rail sector (CONNECTA*)
▪ Plan
▪ Analyze
▪ Embrace
▪ Train
▪ Define
▪ Develop
▪ Verify
▪ Validate
▪ Manage
▪ …
Systems Model
12/23

13. The Approach: How to Automate it?
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
*https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip1_n.aspx?p=CONNECTA
With an example from the rail sector (CONNECTA*)
▪ Plan
▪ Analyze
▪ Embrace
▪ Train
▪ Define
▪ Develop
▪ Verify
▪ Validate
▪ Manage
▪ …
Systems Model
13/23

14. Why not matching the
context of existing MBSE
challenges with successful
AI applications in other
domains?
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
14/23

15. Text-to-Model Modules and Roles
The What and Who
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
15/23

16. Text-to-Model Method (1)
The How
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain*NER: Named Entity Recognition 16/23

17. Text-to-Model Method (1)
The How
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
17/23*NER: Named Entity Recognition

18. Data Labeling in Dataturks
https://dataturks.com/
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
18/23
100 sentences

19. Model Scores & NER* Loss Graph in SpaCy
https://spacy.io/
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
NERLossOver25Iterations
ModelScores
*NER: Named Entity Recognition 19/23

20. A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
20/23

21. A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
Generated Actors and Use Cases
21/23

22. What the driver does?
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
22/23

23. Wrap Up
▪ A first step but it works
▪ An NER model can be trained and achieved
without any previously provided library
▪ Assistance in accelerating the early phases of
the adoption of MBSE (e.g., model libraries)
▪ Lack of a coherent foundation for enabling the
application of AI for MBSE
▪ New activities would require competences in AI
and MBSE
▪ Looking forward to enhance and work further
on the text-to-model tool part
Photo by Matt Jones on Unsplash
A First Step towards AI for MBSE
M. Chami, C. Zoghbi, and J.M. Bruel
AI4SE Workshop 2019, Madrid, Spain
23/23