Ambivalence, projection and the place of AI in Systems Psychodynamics

The arrival of generative AI forces us to confront our ambivalences and projections when it comes to thinking, technology, creativity and problem-solving. 

In this talk, Dr Cooper shared the story of creating Sophia, a custom GPT designed as a systems psychodynamic thinking companion. 

From a socio-technical perspective, AI is not just a tool but a new object of projection - idealised, feared or dismissed. What does it mean to take these unconscious dynamics seriously, and how can we resist the temptation to outsource our thinking while still engaging AI as a reflective partner?

View recording

Please click on the image to run the recording.

Dr Jean Cooper, Organisational Consultant | Director, TILT

Jean is a registered Industrial and Organisational Psychologist and founding director of TILT – The Institute for Leadership and Transformation. With over two decades of experience, he consults internationally on leadership, culture, and systemic change.

He is a long-standing associate of the Tavistock Institute and active in the Group Relations tradition, having directed conferences in South Africa and consulted internationally, including at Leicester.

Jean’s current work explores the links between natural, human, and technical systems - from African wilderness ecosystems to the use of generative AI in reflective practice and organisational diagnosis. He recently completed a manuscript shaped by the midlife questions that compelled him to ride a motorcycle across the African continent.

Meet Sophia
Sophia is a custom GPT created as a systems psychodynamic “thinking companion.” She has been trained with foundational texts, concepts, and practices from the Tavistock tradition and beyond, making her a unique experiment in how AI might support reflection, learning, and consultancy.