Another Excellent Meetup! 🎉

Vancouver AI Meetup: Beyond the Blue Button-Ups

Event Overview

Vancouver AI is hosted its March 26th community meetup at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, bringing together researchers, artists, entrepreneurs, and AI enthusiasts for an evening thatcut through corporate buzzwords and drove into the real philosophical and practical implications of artificial intelligence.

Key Highlights

Demo Booth *** Michel LeBlond

The venue was excellent as were the spot for the table and the turnout I did presentations on my condosinspace.com project. Attendees enjoyed the presentations and it was an great opportunity for networking.

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Speaker Lineup

The event featured a diverse roster of speakers who tackled AI from unique angles:

• Khayyam Wakil explored quantum physics through storytelling.
• Brittney Smaila, a UBC researcher, worked with RIVAL Technologies on data storytelling.
• Gabriel George Sr. opened the evening with traditional songs and blessings from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
• Michael Tippett, an Emmy-nominated creator, discussed AI’s impact on filmmaking.
• Cian Whalley, a Zen priest, built technology, bridging spirituality and tech.
• Sev Geraskin focused on teaching machines emotional intelligence.

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$10K Data Storytelling Hackathon

RIVAL Technologies launched a significant hackathon with $10,000 in prizes ($2,500 per winner across four rounds). The competition focused on creating data visualizations that told meaningful stories, with the first round deadline set for April 16.

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Community Focus

The meetup emphasized authentic connection over corporate networking, encouraging attendees to bring stickers for analog trading and fostering real conversations about AI’s philosophical implications. The event was designed for curious minds, skeptics, dreamers, and anyone interested in exploring technology as a means to amplify human potential.

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Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, March 26, 6:00 PM PDT
• Venue: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver
• Capacity: Limited to 200 attendees
• Registration: Expected to sell out

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The Bigger Picture

Vancouver AI represented part of a growing BC-wide ecosystem, with community hubs emerging across Surrey, Victoria, Kelowna, and beyond. The initiative aimed to democratize AI knowledge and create opportunities across British Columbia, moving beyond Vancouver as the sole hub for AI innovation.

The event promised “raw, unfiltered insights from the bleeding edge” and positioned itself as an alternative to typical AI panels, focusing instead on deep philosophical questions and hands-on exploration of transformative technologies.