Creativity across disciplines. Diversity across cultures. Innovation rooted in place. Futures shaped together.
Become a memberIn 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Where the real talk happens. Members-only chat for questions, breakthroughs, signal boosts, and the occasional spicy AI drama.
Digital credentials you can flex anywhere—email sigs, decks, grant apps, social. Proof you’re building BC’s AI movement.
Choose from flexible team plans designed to support teams of all sizes, from solo users to groups of up to 30.
Handpicked intel. No hype, no spam. Just real updates, ecosystem signals, and backchannel invites you won’t find anywhere else.