How AI Transformed Survey Data Into Human Connection | Vancouver AI Data Storytelling Hackathon

Dean’s Album → https://bcai.dev/
Vancouver AI Community → https://vancouver.bc-ai.net/
BC AI Ecosystem → https://bc-ai.ca/
Rival Technologies → https://rivalgroup.io/

Dean Shev just shocked everyone by winning our $2,500 Data Storytelling Hackathon… in the most unexpected way.

By day, Dean is a healthcamre data analyst. But since age 14, he’s dreamed of making music. Growing up in a family of engineers, he followed the practical path… until AI changed everything.

Given survey data from 1,000 British Columbians about their hopes and fears around AI, Dean transformed numbers into something magical: a 17-song album, where each track represents real people in our Vancouver AI Community.
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🎵 Why it’s groundbreaking:

Songs dedicated to BC + AI community members like Professor P, Kevin Friel, Carol Anne Hilton & Lorraine Lowe

– Reflects voices, perspectives, and contributions… not just data points
– Turns cold survey results into an emotional soundtrack
– Proves AI can amplify human creativity rather than replace it

🏆 About the Hackathon:
This was Round 3 of the Rival Technologies Data Storytelling Hackathon. Other standout projects included:

Prajwall Prashanth (17 yrs old): 3D semantic mapping with AI roundtables
Sev Geraskin & April Smith: “Artificially General Intelligent Data Interface” (Hall of Fame winner)
Also recognizing Alvaro Peralta, Udbhav Kansal and Nancy Spagnut for their amazing hackathon submissions.

https://vancouver.bc-ai.net/ai-data-storytelling-hackathon-round-3

12 total submissions reimagining data storytelling

🎧 Listen to Dean’s full album: bc-ai.death

🎯 Why it matters:
Dean’s win shows what happens when you combine:
✅ Healthcare data analysis (technical skill)
✅ A 14-year music dream (creative passion)
✅ Community empathy (human stories)
✅ Generative AI (tools that unlock creativity)

This is the future of AI—not replacing humans, but elevating us.

📅 NEXT EVENT:
Vancouver AI Community Meetup #21 – Sept 24, 2025
📍 H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Vancouver
🎟 Tickets: vancouver.bcai.net

👥 COMMUNITY:
Join 250+ AI practitioners, artists, researchers & innovators at Vancouver’s premier AI meetup. Explore what it means to be human in the age of machines.

🎥 Credits:

Video Production: Kevin Friel
Photography: Michelle Diamond
Event Production: Vancouver AI Community
Sponsor: Rival Technologies
Venue: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre