Vancouver AI Community Meetup: February 26
We're living through a moment that will be written about in history books. The questions we're wrestling with now - about consciousness, creativity, ethics, identity - will shape generations to come.
This gathering is about finding our place in that story, about writing ourselves into the future rather than being written by it.
The February Vancouver AI Lineup:
Judy Illes | Distinguished Professor, UBC Neuroethics
Sissi Wang | Founder, Exponential Studio
Sissi, once a corporate rebel leading teams across 120 countries with IBM and Novartis, Sissi is now an entrepreneur pioneering the future of work—building conscious, exponential organizations designed to unleash human potential.
She will explore how to build future-ready organizations, diving into how AI will maximize human agency and co-create a future of superabundance.
Anthony Green | Co-Founder, OpenRep
Straight from OpenAI Deep Research: ‘Analyze Vancouver’s AI ecosystem—business, investment, pros, cons, recommendations.’ Anthony Green’s breaking it down at the next meetup. Listen, learn, debate.
Cian Whalley | CTO, Cognitive Technology & Exponential Studios
A Zen priest turned tech innovator who bridges ancient wisdom and cutting-edge AI to explore the future of human potential.
Dean Shev | Founder & CEO, VHT.ai
Dean is driving AI innovation in healthcare, tackling the challenges of scaling AI-driven solutions in a complex industry.
From patient care to operations, AI is reshaping the space—he’ll share insights on where it’s headed and what it takes to make it work.
Brittney Smailia | UBC Cognitive Science
Brittney Smaila captivates with spoken word pieces that intertwine the analytical precision of a neuroscientist with the soulful artistry of a poet, exploring the dynamic interplay of AI and human connection.
Jackson Wu aka SHYANG | Public Speaking Coach & Emcee
Ed Kennedy | Experimental AI Art Researcher
Through the fusion of batch processing and multi-directory source images, Ed Kennedy’s work, “Latent Sculptures” explores the infinite possibilities of open source AI-generated art, utilizing depth, canny, and other Controlnets in Automatic1111 to create a dynamic interplay of form and abstraction.
This process transforms structured inputs into endless, evolving visual narratives, reflecting the boundless creativity at the intersection of technology and human imagination.
Shane Gibson | CEO and Founder of The Professional Sales Academy
Sensei Shane equips sales professionals with cutting-edge AI tools and techniques to revolutionize their sales processes.
Kris Krüg | Founder, TheUpgrade.ai & Host, CBC Radio's Sandboxing AI
🌱 EARLYWORM (CA$40): For the quick-draw hackers and optimization enthusiasts.
🎯 STANDARD (CA$60): The classic ticket for the classic explorer.
🧠 SUPPORTER (CA$120): Think this ticket is expensive? Wait until you see what Web3 folks charge for a jpeg of a bored ape!
LIMITED EDITION GEAR DROP: Feb 2025 - longsleeve tee, patch, stickers. (Only 20 spots available at this tier - because scarcity is still a thing, even in the age of infinite AI generation)
*** A portion of all ticket sales helps fund student tickets and keeps our community growing.
Come ready to contribute your voice to a conversation that matters.
The future isn't something that happens to us - it's something we create together, one conscious choice at a time.
Join us in the liminal space between what is and what could be.
Let's dream bigger dreams.
KK
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9
Parking for your land-based vehicles available.
Public transit options for the environmentally conscious time-travelers among us.
Accessibility: We welcome beings of all forms. The Space Centre is fully accessible.
2025 Mission Launch Schedule
Our meetups are a glimpse into a future where AI and human creativity collide in spectacular fashion. Be there as we write the next chapter of Vancouver's innovation story.
With Support From Our Partners:
These visionaries are catalyzing Vancouver's tech evolution. Show them some love.
SEVGEV LLP
BC leader in technology and legal innovation, SEVGEV LLP champions our vision of a future where creativity and AI thrive hand in hand.
Dimitri Schwartzman w/ Macdonald Realty
Connecting families to their dream residential homes, Dimitri Schwartzman w/ Macdonald Realty believes in building communities that inspire.
Sons of Vancouver
Artisans of craft and community, Sons of Vancouver fuels our gatherings with the spirit of independent creativity.
Goodness Distributors
Spreading good vibes and great support, Goodness Distributors helps our AI community flourish with every step.
Help Fuel Our Revolution:
Want to be more than just an attendee? We're always on the lookout for sponsors who get it. Hit up kris@motleykrugmedia.com to discuss how you can help us push Vancouver's AI Ecosystem into the stratosphere.
BC AI - https://www.bc-ai.net/
Coming Up March 26th
Vancouver AI Community Meetup: March 26
Organized by Vancouver AIHuman-Centered AI for a Better World
© Kris Krüg 2025
About BC + AI Ecosystem Association
BC + AI is the province-wide layer: a community-driven, nonprofit industry association built to create public-interest infrastructure for AI in British Columbia.
Not a corporate lobby. Not a think tank. A commons where meetups turn into working groups, prototypes turn into shared tools, and community values turn into governance.
Join / support: https://bc-ai.ca/membership/