The society does this by developing and applying cybernetics’ concepts which are presented and published via its conferences and peer-reviewed publications.

[4] The society was spearheaded by John J. Ford of the CIA to counter growing advancements from the USSR in computing and cybernetics research and development.

[5][6][7] According to Evgeny Morozov, it bought together a number of academics, policy makers, spies, and business people to meet this aim.

[5] Morozov also notes that international and national pressures during the late 1960s led to increased interest in cybernetics for policy makers and governmental officials as a way to minimise uncertainty domestically and on the world stage.

The First Annual Cybernetics Symposium of the ASC was held on 26–7 October 1967 at the National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, Maryland.