Alright, digital dreamweavers, it’s your favorite techno-provocateur KK here… diggin’ into the beautiful chaos that was our September Vancouver AI Community Meetup.
For those who missed the event or wish to revisit it, a recap video and a photo gallery are available. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the next meetup on Wednesday, October 30th at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. You can register here.
Holy algorithmic awesomeness, Batman! Can you believe how our little band of misfits has grown? I kicked off the night by basking in the glow of our collective badassery.
We’re not just growing; we’re evolving faster than a neural network on steroids. And guess what? We’re leveling up our digs too! New venue partnership because when you’re pushing the boundaries of reality, you need space to spread those digital wings.
But listen up, because this is important: We’re not here to build Skynet. We’re here to craft a future where humans and machines tango in perfect harmony. It’s about collaboration, not domination. Inclusivity, not exclusivity. So let’s keep pushing those boundaries, but remember to bring everyone along for the ride.

Satirical Art and Philosophical Clothing with Matt Jones
Next up, the maestro of mind-bending visuals, Matt Jones, took center stage. This dude’s art is like a Rorschach test for the digital age – equal parts hilarious and deeply philosophical.

He unveiled our latest collab, the “Soul Container Academy Meat Space Preservation Unit.” Picture this: a robot and human hand reaching out, practically screaming “E.T. phone home” but with a cyberpunk twist.

Matt’s work is a reminder that in this brave new world, we need to question everything – especially our assumptions about the line between human and machine. Keep pushing those boundaries, Matt. We’re all here for it.

Demystifying Large Language Models with Kush

Alright, brace yourselves for some serious brain food. Our resident software wizard, Kush, took us on a deep dive into the world of Large Language Models. Spoiler alert: They’re not sentient (yet), but hot damn, are they powerful!
Kush broke it down straighttalk style: These models are essentially glorified word predictors on cosmic steroids. They’re like that friend who always finishes your sentences, but on a universal scale. The key takeaway? LLMs are tools, not overlords. Powerful? Yes. Conscious? Nope.
But here’s where it gets juicy: Kush waved the flag for open-source AI. Why? Because we don’t want our digital futures controlled by a handful of tech bros in Silicon Valley. Transparency is key, folks. If we’re going to dance with these digital giants, we need to see all their moves.
Indigenous Perspectives with Michael and Caroline Running Wolf
Now, hold onto your VR headsets, because Michael and Caroline Running Wolf brought some much-needed ancestral wisdom to our tech-heavy table.

Caroline dropped the mic with news about Signals Festival and IM4 Lab. It’s high time we amplified Indigenous voices in the tech world, and these events are doing just that. If you’re not excited about Indigenous creators in AI and VR, check your pulse – you might be a robot.

Up next Michael Running Wolf called out the elephant in the room: AGI as a “cargo cult.” Preach, brother! While we’re all dreaming of HAL 9000, Michael’s out there doing the real work – teaching AI and computer science to Indigenous youth. Talk about bridging worlds!
Their message was clear: We need to weave Traditional Knowledge into the fabric of our digital future. It’s not just about diversity; it’s about survival, innovation, and creating tech that serves all of humanity.
Dancing with AI

Marina AKA Mother of the Void AKA Orbit Princess, a foundational member of our community, delivered a captivating “Prompt Me” performance that left the audience in awe. In a unique blend of technology and interpretive dance, she invited attendees to write prompts on post-it notes for her ’embodiment AI systems’.

As the AI generated responses in real-time, Orbit Princess transformed them into expressive movements, creating an interactive and immersive experience.

Her performance brilliantly showcased the synergy between human creativity and artificial intelligence, highlighting how technology can enhance artistic expression.

The presence of her lovely parents added a heartfelt dimension to the evening, making her contribution not just a performance but a family celebration and a standout moment of the event.

AI for Good Inspiring Change w/ Enya’s Amin Sharifi

Enter Amin Sharifi, the mad scientist behind Enya Learning, here to remind us that with great AI comes great responsibility. This guy’s not just talking the talk; he’s walking the walk, creating digital twins for immigrant students. It’s personalized learning on steroids, folks!

Amin hit us with the philosopher’s stone analogy, and suddenly we all felt like AI alchemists. But here’s the kicker: With that power comes a tsunami of responsibility. Amin’s rallying cry? Use AI to lift up the underdogs, save the planet, and maybe, just maybe, make the world suck a little less.
The Magic of Real-Time Generative Art with Kevin Friel

Just when we thought our minds couldn’t be more blown, in struts Kevin Friel, aka the “Pixel Wizard.” This digital sorcerer turned our meetup into a living, breathing acid trip – in the best way possible.
Picture this: We’re shouting random words like “fancy pants,” “pandas,” and “toilet paper” (don’t ask), and Kevin’s AI is spitting out visuals that would make Salvador Dali weep with joy. It was like being inside a meme generator on overdrive.
But wait, there’s more! Kevin’s wireless DMX lighting system had the whole place pulsing like a sentient disco ball. It was a feast for the senses, a rave for the mind, and a stark reminder that the future of art is here, and it’s trippy as hell.
Traditional Calligraphy with Real-Time AI
Arshia Sobhan captivated the audience with a groundbreaking presentation on generative calligraphy through their project, Autolume. By blending traditional calligraphic artistry with cutting-edge AI algorithms, Autolume creates mesmerizing calligraphic designs that evolve in real-time.

Arshia’s work beautifully showcased the intersection of art and technology, highlighting how AI can both preserve and innovate upon traditional forms of expression.
Digital Renters to Sovereign Owners
Brandon Ricci of Huge Technology Company delivered an enlightening talk on the future of technology and the importance of user-owned data. He critically examined current tech ecosystems, highlighting how advertising-driven platforms often prioritize profit over user well-being.

Brandon pointed out that users are increasingly becoming renters in digital spaces controlled by corporations, leading to exploitation through subscription models and a loss of personal data sovereignty. Citing Cory Doctorow’s concept of the “Inshittification of the Internet,” he emphasized the pitfalls of platforms funded predominantly by advertising.

Advocating for a paradigm shift, Brandon shared his vision for a personal AI system that empowers users by prioritizing trust, data privacy, and ease of use. He envisions AI assistants capable of handling daily tasks—like scheduling and news summaries—while ensuring that data remains under user control.
By focusing on vertical integration and eliminating reliance on third-party APIs, such a system could provide powerful functionalities without compromising privacy. Brandon’s insights underscored the need for technology that aligns corporate goals with user benefits, fostering deeper digital intimacy and a more ethical digital future.

Community Contributions and Networking
Now, hold onto your hats, because this is where things got really wild. Our open mic session proved once and for all that our community is a bottomless pit of untapped genius.
We had Michel Leblonde, fresh from a career pivot, blowing minds with AI-generated tarot readings. It’s like the cosmos and code had a baby, and it’s telling our fortunes.

The energy was electric. Ideas were bouncing around faster than particles in a hadron collider. This, my friends, is where the magic happens – in the collision of minds, the fusion of ideas, the spontaneous combustion of creativity.

Prajwal Prashanth, our resident whiz kid and high school senior, lit up the room with his tale from the trenches of the University of Waterloo hackathon. This solo digital gunslinger didn’t just participate – he conquered.

He didnt win the whole hackathon BUT Prajwal snagged victory in one of the event’s brain-bending challenges, and here’s the kicker: he did it with a little help from our AI friend, GPT. The laughter that followed was the sound of paradigms shifting. 😉

And let’s give some big love to Michelle Diamond, our resident headshot guru, making sure we all look our AI-enhanced best for our LinkedIn profiles. Because in this brave new world, personal branding is everything, and Michelle’s making sure we’re all ready for our close-ups.

Looking Ahead: Future Events and Opps
Alright, future-shapers, mark your smart calendars and tell your AI assistants to clear your schedule. Our next digital rodeo is hitting the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre on October 30th. That’s right, we’re taking this show to the stars!

Expect more mind-bending demos, groundbreaking ideas, and enough inspiration to fuel your personal moonshot. Whether you’re a coding wizard, an AI ethicist, or just someone who wants to make sure the robots remember us fondly, there’s a place for you in our digital Dodge City.

As the dust settles on another epic meetup, I’m left in awe of this community we’re building. From demystifying the tech that’s reshaping our world to ensuring that reshaping includes everyone, we’re not just talking about the future – we’re actively creating it.

To every speaker, participant, and wide-eyed newcomer: You are the circuits in this grand AI experiment we call community. Your ideas, your questions, your wild dreams – that’s the electricity that keeps this whole thing humming.

So here’s my challenge to you, my fellow digital dreamers: Stay curious. Question everything, especially the AIs. Push boundaries, but do it responsibly. And for the love of all things binary, never stop imagining what’s possible.

Remember, in this brave new world, we’re not just passengers – we’re the pilots, the engineers, and the visionaries. We’re writing the code for tomorrow, painting with pixels, and sculpting with data.

Every idea shared, every connection made, every “what if” pondered brings us one step closer to a future where technology amplifies our humanity rather than replaces it.

So keep those neural networks firing, keep those ideas flowing, and never, ever lose that sense of wonder. Because the future isn’t some far-off destination – it’s something we’re building together, one meetup at a time.
Catch you on the flip side, in the metaverse, or wherever the next big breakthrough takes us. Stay rad, stay human, and keep pushing those digital boundaries!

Your cyberpunk spirit guide and fellow traveler in this wild AI odyssey,
P.S. Missed out on the action? Fear not, digital nomads! We’ve got a recap video that’s almost as good as being there (minus the free-flowing creative vibes and impromptu AI dance-offs). Dive in, get inspired, and then get your butt to our next meetup. The future’s calling, and trust me, you don’t want to send it to voicemail!

Discover more from Kris Krüg | Generative AI Tools & Techniques
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
You must be logged in to post a comment.