News - BC + AI Ecosystem

Launching the BC + AI Film Club

The BC + AI Film Club is launching as a community-driven space for filmmakers and creatives to explore AI's impact on storytelling and film production. It evolved from discussions into hands-on workshops and screenings, culminating in the first annual BC + AI Film Festival, which showcased AI-generated films. The club emphasizes collaboration, accessibility, and ethical practices, offering free events and a supportive network for all levels of experience. Upcoming events include monthly screenings and workshops at the Multimodal Media Lab, fostering a creative revolution in British Columbia.

Community AI Pathways for BC’s Look West Report

British Columbia's grassroots AI ecosystem is essential for realizing the province's 10-year strategy, Look West, which aims to double the AI and quantum sectors, integrate AI into K-12 education, and support SMEs in adopting advanced technologies. Key community-driven pathways include embedding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in AI initiatives, fostering local partnerships for workforce training, and creating regional hubs for collaboration. The community offers to co-design AI strategies with a focus on justice and participation, ensuring that AI development is rooted in local cultures and needs.

Canada Budget 2025 × BC + AI

The 2025 Canadian budget emphasizes the adoption of ethical AI in public services, advocating for transparency, accountability, and equitable access for startups and Indigenous communities in BC. Key proposals include establishing a public sector AI ethics code, regional compute capacity, and funding for AI skills development, while ensuring that AI governance is prioritized to build public trust. The document calls for collaborative efforts to modernize services and support community-driven AI initiatives.

Community Spotlight: Dean Shev

Dean Shev is a healthcare data analyst who integrates technical skills, creative expression, and ethical frameworks to build meaningful AI solutions in healthcare. His journey from aspiring musician to founder of Virtual Healthcare Technologies showcases his commitment to ethical AI development, emphasizing preventive care and community values. Through innovative projects like a 17-song album that captures community voices, Dean demonstrates how AI can enhance human connection rather than diminish it, proving that creativity and technical expertise can coexist harmoniously.

Data for Good Keynote: The Story of BC + AI

The keynote discusses the growth of BC + AI, highlighting the community's emergence from grassroots meetups to a nonprofit society. It addresses the recent government decision to limit AI data centers while prioritizing mining, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to AI development. The speaker reflects on personal experiences with AI, the importance of community collaboration, and the potential for innovative solutions in response to regulatory challenges. The narrative advocates for a community-first, open-source approach to AI, aiming to build a responsible and inclusive future for British Columbia.

BC + AI’s Platform for Canada’s AI Task Force

Canada's AI Task Force is criticized for lacking diverse representation, focusing too much on commercialization and scaling rather than governance and public trust. BC + AI advocates for a national strategy prioritizing sovereign data governance, community-driven compute resources, and public-interest procurement. Key principles include enhancing AI literacy, ensuring transparency in AI systems, and promoting ecological accountability. The document calls for Minister Solomon to engage with grassroots efforts in BC to create an ethical and sustainable AI ecosystem that benefits the public rather than corporations.

Building Infrastructure for What Comes Next

A community of AI enthusiasts in British Columbia has evolved from informal meetups to a structured nonprofit organization, the BC + AI Ecosystem. This group is actively engaging with government stakeholders, showcasing technical advancements through hackathons, and fostering collaboration among members. Upcoming events include a NASA Space Apps Hackathon, and initiatives are in place to enhance community infrastructure, such as improved onboarding and resource sharing. The focus is on building a supportive environment for innovation and human connection in the AI space.

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.

August 2025: Vancouver AI Commnity Meetup Recap: VanAI #20

The Vancouver AI Community Meetup #20 celebrated the launch of the BC + AI Ecosystem Association, featuring keynotes on love in AI, community ethics, and the importance of upskilling. Highlights included discussions on the role of ceremony in technology, the need for personal AI ethics policies, and innovative hackathon projects that turned data into stories. The event emphasized transparency, community engagement, and the urgency of ethical considerations in AI development, aiming to build a future rooted in shared values and creativity.

Rocks, Racks & Rights: Canada's Blueprint for the AI Energy Wars

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.