Practical Systems Engineering
and Artificial Intelligence
Systems Thinking; Modern Strategy
Practical Systems Engineering
and Artificial Intelligence
Arriving in March 2026!
The Gardener and the Machine is a guide to designing for a world of complex, adaptive systems. Blending ecology, technology, and social science, it shows why control‑obsessed solutions fail, and how cultivating the right conditions can produce resilience, meaning, and durable outcomes.
About Dr. Villanueva
Dr. Art Villanueva is a systems engineer and artificial intelligence practitioner focused on complex adaptive systems. He is the founder of Phronos, where he applies advanced analytics and emergence theory to real‑world engineering and organizational challenges.
He currently serves as a Senior Staff Engineer at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, developing next‑generation aerospace technologies. His career spans defense, clean technology, and enterprise strategy, including leadership roles at Northrop Grumman and Dell Technologies. An experienced entrepreneur and technical executive, he was a founder of a clean energy technology company.
He holds multiple U.S. patents, has published peer‑reviewed research, and holds an INCOSE certification as an ESEP. He earned degrees in systems engineering and applied mathematics from UCLA, UC San Diego, and Colorado State University.