BC + AI Ecosystem

Creativity across disciplines. Diversity across cultures. Innovation rooted in place. Futures shaped together.

Become a member

Coastal, Cultural, Carbon-Smart.

In the heart of British Columbia, where circuits hum and ideas spark, a collective is rising. The province of British Columbia (BC) has emerged as a significant hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Canada, fostering a dynamic ecosystem of startups, established companies, research institutions, and academic programs.

 

Stay up to date

Upcoming Events

AI Film Club: 06/11

Monthly screenings, technical deep-dives, and crea[...]

Jun 11, 2026 6:30 pm

AI Film Club: 07/09

Monthly screenings, technical deep-dives, and crea[...]

Jul 9, 2026 6:30 pm

BC + AI Festival

[...]

Oct 28, 2026 7:00 pm

Latest News

Calling Us All In

The author recounts Day Three of Web Summit Vancouver 2026, highlighting the release of a critical piece on federal sovereign‑AI data centres, the shift from “spy AI” to “humanizing AI,” and numerous spontaneous interactions with community leaders, activists, and industry figures. They describe renegade booth efforts, conversations about AI’s societal impact, and calls for transparent, inclusive governance of AI infrastructure, emphasizing the need for a public allocation policy, community benefits, and Indigenous participation to ensure people have a say in the technology’s future.

Sovereign AI for Whom?

The letter urges the federal government to make the sovereign AI compute initiative truly inclusive by securing independent environmental assessments, a transparent allocation policy, community‑benefits and Indigenous‑governance agreements, and dedicated funding for creator‑rights and consent infrastructure before finalising the MOU.

BC+AI Resources

BC+AI Funding Directory

A living spreadsheet of 200+ grants, loans, and investment programs for nonprofits, startups, and researchers working with AI in BC. Updated monthly; community‑tested—dozens of members have already landed cash.

AI Hackathon

All the prompts, judging rubric, sample datasets, walkthrough videos, GitHub links, and a list of past winning teams from our ongoing BC + AI Hackathon Series.

BC+AI Ecosystem Map

Interactive map connecting people, projects, and organisations across the province—search by region, sector, or tech focus to find collaborators fast.

BC+AI Chatbot

Ask anything about memberships, events, policies, funding leads, or who’s doing what in the ecosystem—get answers in our trademark grassroots swagger.

Vancouver AI Data Storytelling Hackathon

We’re thrilled to take part in BC’s most creative and collaborative AI hackathon yet — a unique blend of storytelling, data, and cutting-edge technology. This event brings together researchers, builders, artists, hackers, and creatives to craft compelling narratives about AI in British Columbia.

With $10,000 in cash prizes, community glory, and major bragging rights on the line, it’s more than a hackathon — it’s a celebration of innovation in BC’s AI ecosystem.

Building a Grassroots AI Community of Practice

It captures the early formation of a decentralized, creative, human-first AI movement in British Columbia — built without corporate capture or gatekeepers.

The work stands as a record of what can happen when communities organize themselves around curiosity, ethics, and action.

Join the Community

The BC+AI program invites everyone to join in! Tap into exclusive events and share your skills while helping to foster innovation in our vibrant AI community.

  • Private WhatsApp Lounge

    Where the real talk happens. Members-only chat for questions, breakthroughs, signal boosts, and the occasional spicy AI drama.

  • Unique Member ID + Badge

    Digital credentials you can flex anywhere—email sigs, decks, grant apps, social. Proof you’re building BC’s AI movement.

  • Options for Organizations

    Choose from flexible team plans designed to support teams of all sizes, from solo users to groups of up to 30.

  • Monthly Member Newsletter

    Handpicked intel. No hype, no spam. Just real updates, ecosystem signals, and backchannel invites you won’t find anywhere else.

250+ Members
3,000+ Event Attendees
94+ Events Hosted
4 BC Regions
Est. 2023 Community Founded