About BC+AI
Multi-modal. Multi-cultural. Radically local. Future-facing.
Who we are
We’re BC + AI. Not a think tank. Not a corporate lobby. A living, breathing network of builders, artists, coders, researchers, Indigenous leaders, and everyday citizens shaping what AI means here, on this land.
We started in coffee shops, basements, and borrowed studios—where conversations turned into prototypes, where questions turned into gatherings, and where meetups grew into a movement. On August 1st 2025 that movement became Canada’s first grassroots AI industry association. Not because we needed another org, but because we needed a commons.
This isn’t about chasing hype. It’s about shaping a future worth living. If you’re curious, if you’re restless, if you believe AI should expand human potential you’re in the right place.
BC + AI. DIY beats gatekeepers. Let’s co‑create.
Our Mission
Empower BC’s AI ecosystem to build tech that serves people and planet. That means ethics by default, no gatekeeping, and community before clout. It means pairing coders with choreographers, hosting policy debates next to art jams, and putting Indigenous sovereign data governance at the centre.
We’re place‑rooted, multi‑modal, future‑facing. Our work is messy, iterative, and alive. From hackathons in Squamish to summits in Vancouver, from funding guides to policy playbooks, we share openly, we build together, we fight bullshit when we see it.
Our Vision
Our vision is for British Columbia to become the world’s most inclusive and resilient AI ecosystem: a place where ethical, community-rooted intelligence flourishes, and where the “mycelial network” of creators, technologists, and citizens collaborates to solve real-world challenges.
Here, AI is developed not in isolation, but as a public good amplifying local culture, protecting the land, and fostering opportunities that uplift every community across the province.
Our Story: Spark to Movement
Born from the vibrant Vancouver AI Community Meetups that quickly blossomed into a province-wide movement, the BC AI Industry Association officially launched in May 2025 as Canada’s first grassroots, community-powered AI industry association.
Rooted in the ethos of DIY > Gatekeepers. Grassroots > Bureaucrats. Movement > Middlemen, we embrace a decentralized, multi-cultural, and radically local approach to AI development.
Our origin story is one of collective action – a mycelial network of creators, coders, policymakers, and knowledge keepers weaving together ideas across disciplines.
We’re building an AI future that puts people and planet first, where technology is accountable to communities, honours the land, and amplifies human creativity.
Community Values – Head & Heart
At the heart of BC + AI is a community-first ethos: a living mycelial network of creation where ideas spread laterally, not top-down. We welcome technologists, artists, entrepreneurs, Indigenous knowledge keepers, policymakers, and everyday citizens because AI’s future must be shaped by many voices.
We are Indigenous-honouring, rooted on unceded territories, respecting Sovereign Data Governance, and building AI that supports cultural preservation, ecological care, and land stewardship. Our guiding stance is ethics by default, treating bias, privacy risks, and hidden harms as problems to fix, not spin.
Our operational DNA is clear: reciprocity, creativity, and courage. We return value to the communities that shape us, and we thrive on playful experimentation where code meets choreography and failure composts future growth.
Staying future-facing means prioritizing sustainability over hype and tailoring solutions to BC’s lands, languages, and lived realities. With collective intelligence, we embrace critique, welcome tension, and resist extraction so we can build the future we actually want for artificial intelligence in British Columbia.
What We Do
Education & Skills Training: Our programs upskill professionals and newcomers alike, bridging technical and creative communities, and supporting lifelong learning.
Policy Advocacy: We champion responsible, ethical, and inclusive AI development, advocating for policies that reflect BC’s distinct values: environmental stewardship, creative excellence, and cultural respect.
Partnerships: We work with academic institutions (UBC, SFU, Emily Carr, Northeastern), Indigenous organizations, industry, and government to co-create solutions and avoid duplication of effort.
Public-Interest Infrastructure: We are building distributed public infrastructure for AI: shared tools, data ethics frameworks, and policy prototypes that serve the public good.
Celebrating Innovation: Through initiatives like the BC + AI Awards and creative hackathons, we recognize and support talent from all corners of the province.
Leadership & Team
Kris Krüg: Director
Kris Krüg is a cultural technologist, creative entrepreneur, community organizer and Founder of the BC + AI Ecosystem Association.
With over two decades of experience in technology, media, and the arts, Kris has been instrumental in building Vancouver’s grassroots AI community, organizing monthly meetups that have drawn more than 2,000 participants. He is also the co-founder and president of The AI Upgrade, where he develops AI training programs for professionals across sectors.
Kris’s leadership emphasizes ethical, inclusive, and creative approaches to AI, and he is recognized for championing public-interest technology that centers people and communities over products and hype.
Carol Anne Hilton: Director
Carol Anne Hilton, MBA, is the founder and CEO of the Indigenomics Institute and a leading voice in Indigenous economic thought in Canada.
Of Hesquiaht Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth ancestry, Carol Anne is the visionary architect behind the #Indigenomics movement, which seeks to reclaim and grow Indigenous economic space. Her leadership bridges traditional Indigenous knowledge systems with digital innovation, and she is committed to advancing economic sovereignty, reciprocity, and sustainability.
Carol Anne’s work includes pioneering the Global Indigenous Technology House and advising on national Indigenous economic strategies, making her a key figure in integrating Indigenous values into the future of technology and AI.
Lorraine Lowe: Director
Lorraine Lowe is a Board Director of the BC + AI Ecosystem Association and the Executive Director of the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver.
Known for her leadership in public engagement and science education, Lorraine brings a passion for community-driven innovation and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in technology.
Her experience in managing large-scale educational programs and fostering partnerships across sectors strengthens the association’s mission to build a collaborative and accessible AI ecosystem in British Columbia.
General
Do I need to be an AI expert to join?
No. We run beginner workshops alongside advanced sessions—curiosity is the only prerequisite.
How are you different from AInBC or BC Tech?
We’re grassroots, nonprofit, and community‑led—focusing on ethics, culture, and cross‑sector collaboration. We complement, not compete.
How do you ensure AI is ethical?
We bake ethics into events, maintain a Community Code of AI Practice, and work with policymakers. Join the Ethics Committee to shape the guidelines.
Do I have to live in BC?
Focus is BC, but allies worldwide are welcome—many events are virtual.
How do I become a partner?
We gratefully acknowledge organizations that share our values and boost our reach. Want to collaborate? [email protected]
Memberships
Which membership tier fits my company?
Email [email protected]—we’ll help based on BC headcount so fees stay fair.
Pro‑tip to maximise membership?
Engage: show up, speak up, volunteer—a rising network lifts all ships.
What are the different membership tiers?
We offer a range of membership tiers to suit different needs and budgets. Here’s a summary:
- Inbox-Only: Receive our public newsletter and event alerts.
- Individual: One seat for personal use, with an annual fee $240.
- Student: Same rights as an Individual, with an annual fee of $80.
- Micro Pack (5 Seats): Five assignable seats for small teams, with an annual fee of $600.
- Growth Pack (12 Seats): Twelve assignable seats for growing teams, with an annual fee of $1,400.
- Enterprise Patron (30 Seats): Thirty assignable seats for large organisations, with an annual fee of $3,000.
For more information or to choose a membership tier, please visit our Membership page.
How do I become a BC+AI member?
Joining us is a breeze! Just head over to the Membership page and scroll down to complete the membership form. Choose the membership type that suits you best and make your payment to become a valued BC+AI member.
Interested in becoming an Affiliate or Partner? We’d love to hear from you! Visit our Contact page to share your thoughts, and let’s start a conversation!
How do I cancel my membership if I no longer want to be part of BC+AI?
If you need to cancel your membership, we’re here to help! Simply send us a message at [email protected], and we will take care of the cancellation for you. Just a friendly reminder: please submit your cancellation request at least 2 weeks prior to your renewal date.