​Genuine people, questionable ideas, and maximum realness.

​If you accidentally learn something, make a friend, or start a revolution, that’s on you.

​DISCLAIMER: This event is, in absolutely no uncertain terms, NOT official WEBSUMMIT anything unless by “official” you mean “officially a bunch of actual cybernetic humans making the most out of whatever weirdness lands in our city.

​Hundred million dollars that's what they promised
Big circus rolling in to save the colonies
Swooped in took our venues took our spotlight
Filled our heads with dreams then caught a red-eye flight

​Sent our money overseas called it opportunity
Bled our budgets dry in the name of community
Promises on stages cameras in their faces
Left us holding nothing but receipts and empty spaces

​Oh-de-lay-ee-oh we see you
Oh-de-lay-ee-oh we do
Oh-de-lay-ee-oh

​Don't need your permission to build what we're building
Don't need your circus your pitch deck your billing
We were here before you we'll be here when you're gone
Don't need saving we've been strong all along

​Metrics aren't meaning visibility ain't truth
Priced out the locals sold dreams to the youth
Gatekeepers in lanyards deciding who gets in
Meanwhile we're in basements where the real work begins

​You wanted us to lay down play the grateful host
Kiss the ring say thank you raise a champagne toast
But we've been building something you could never buy
Roots go deep motherfucker and we don't need your sky

​Oh-de-lay-ee-oh got my eye on you
Oh-de-lay-ee-oh watching what you do
Oh-de-lay-ee-oh promises come due

​Don't need your permission to build what we're building
Don't need your circus your pitch deck your billing
We were here before you we'll be here when you're gone
Don't need saving we've been strong all along

​Oh-de-lay-ee-oh the signal's in the margins
Oh-de-lay-ee-oh not your scripted swarms
Oh-de-lay-ee-oh we build in liminal spaces
Oh-de-lay-ee-oh we weather our own storms

​Conference class flies home to tell the story
How they saved the locals bathed us in their glory
But the dirt under our nails the calluses on our hands
That's the real economy they'll never understand

​Don't need your permission to build what we're building
Don't need your circus your pitch deck your billing
We were here before you we'll be here when you leave
Building something real that you could not conceive

​We were here before We'll be here after
Your receipts and empty spaces
Our roots and our laughter
Don't need permission
Never did Never will

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​BC + AI Ecosystem Association: We support British Columbia’s transition into ethical, inclusive AI by helping public institutions, businesses, and community leaders build the knowledge, skills, and partnerships they need to navigate emerging technologies.