News • BC + AI Ecosystem

Building Infrastructure for What Comes Next

The BC AI Ecosystem has transitioned from informal meetups to a structured nonprofit organization, facilitating collaboration among AI practitioners across British Columbia. The community has evolved from simple document sharing to advanced technical projects using GitHub and AI tools. Key initiatives include partnerships with NASA for hackathons, regional expansion, and the development of resources as public goods. The focus is on fostering human connections and distributed leadership while adapting to the rapid changes in AI technology.

When a Healthcare Data Analyst Drops an AI Album That Makes You Cry

Dean Shev transformed British Columbian survey data into a music album, capturing the essence of community voices through generative AI. This innovative project highlighted the intersection of technology and humanity, demonstrating that AI can amplify human connection rather than replace it. The initiative, born from a hackathon, emphasized the importance of creativity and emotional resonance in data storytelling, showcasing how personal narratives can be expressed through art. The success of this endeavor serves as a blueprint for integrating AI with human insight in organizational contexts.

VanAI #20 Recap

The Vancouver AI Community Meetup #20 launched the BC + AI Ecosystem Association, featuring keynotes on community values, AI ethics, and upskilling. Discussions emphasized the importance of transparency, love as a guiding principle, and the need for personal AI ethics policies. Hackathon projects showcased innovative data storytelling and community engagement. The event highlighted the urgency of AI literacy and the role of local ecosystems in shaping equitable AI practices, with a focus on collaboration and intergenerational learning.

Rocks, Racks & Rights:

Canada has the potential to lead in AI infrastructure by leveraging its natural resources and ensuring local ownership and benefits. The country must treat AI as a critical industry requiring significant energy and resources, moving away from traditional extraction methods to a model that retains value within Canada. This includes prioritizing Indigenous rights, ensuring community benefits, and establishing a transparent system for AI development that aligns with environmental and social goals. The future of AI in Canada hinges on integrating ethical practices with technological advancements to create a sustainable and equitable framework.

How to Build an Agentic Coding Pipeline (And Vibe While You Do It)

An agentic coding pipeline integrates AI into workflows by orchestrating planning, coding, testing, and communication, allowing teams to operate more creatively and efficiently. Key roles include Main Agent, Planning Agent, Coding Agent, QA Agent, and Client Summarizer, each with specific responsibilities. The process emphasizes manual oversight initially, followed by gradual automation, ensuring clarity and trust with clients while maintaining security and ethical standards. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable system that continuously delivers features and fosters collaboration.

Community Spotlight: Loki Jorgensen

Loki Jorgensen, a physicist turned AI researcher, emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and community-driven inquiry into consciousness and technology. He leads initiatives at Circle Innovation, fostering discussions that blend diverse perspectives from various fields. Jorgensen advocates for public engagement with philosophical questions surrounding AI, encouraging a community where everyone contributes to understanding the implications of technology on humanity. His work highlights the need for ethical leadership and creativity in navigating the future of AI, ensuring it remains inclusive and human-centered.

Canadian Plan for Regenerative AI

An open letter outlines a plan for advancing AI in Canada, emphasizing equitable access to technology, public trust, and collaboration. It proposes three partnership models: establishing community HPC clusters, creating a public-engagement fund for digital fluency, and granting Indigenous-led AI sovereignty. The plan aims to reskill 250,000 Canadians, enhance governance through citizen-expert panels, and foster economic growth while respecting Indigenous rights and ecological limits. A collaborative roundtable is invited to align stakeholders on these initiatives.

Briefing Document for Honourable Rick Glumac

British Columbia's AI ecosystem has grown significantly, emphasizing community collaboration, ethics, and inclusive leadership. Key developments include AI meetups, public education programs, and partnerships. Recommendations for collaboration with the government focus on shared AI infrastructure, training partnerships, and ethical policy development to support AI adoption and skills development across the province.

Documenting the BC + AI Ecosystem Movement

A case study published by UBC's BC Studies Journal highlights the emergence of a decentralized, human-first AI movement in British Columbia, emphasizing community organization around curiosity, ethics, and action, free from corporate influence.

BC + AI backs  Hinton’s call for regulation.

BC + AI supports Geoffrey Hinton's call for stringent AI regulations, emphasizing the need for binding rules, open audits, and community involvement. Key proposals include safety testing for high-impact AI systems, algorithmic transparency, and funding for community safety labs. The organization plans to engage the public through town halls and develop open-source audit tools while advocating for Indigenous data rights and the right to human override in automated decisions.