An Evening of AI, Art, and Radical Connection at H.R. McMillan Space Centre, Vancouver, BC
On October 30th, more than 200 of us gathered under the stars at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre to explore what it means to paddle together—toward a future powered by innovation, creativity, and community. The night was electric, sparked by the grounding wisdom of Indigenous traditions, the mind-bending possibilities of AI, and the kind of human connections that remind you why we do this work in the first place.
But as I write this, my heart is heavy. A few days ago, dear friend and collaborator Ender Severine AKA Jesse Scott AKA square.black passed away unexpectedly. Ender wasn’t just a part of these meetups—they were essential to them. A champion of connection. A visionary who believed technology could be a tool for good if wielded with heart. A friend who brought depth and humor to every conversation.
This email, this event, this community—it’s all infused with Ender’s cosmic energy. They were the kind of person who could dream up space suits for NASA by day and spark the wildest ideas around a campfire by night.
As we paddle forward, it feels like Ender’s still here, guiding us like a distant star—an enduring force of connection, curiosity, and creativity. We’re lucky to have been in his orbit.
Speaker Highlights
Gabriel George Sr. – Cultural Advisor, Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Gabriel opened the event with a traditional welcome and a heartfelt song honoring the land and ancestors, reminding attendees of the cultural richness embedded in Vancouver. His emphasis on paddling together’ resonated with the night’s collaborative spirit. “Our culture, our language, our songs—they’re an echo of this land,” Gabriel said, grounding the audience in a sense of collective purpose.
Dr. Patrick Pennefather – Emerging Media Lab, UBC
Dr. Pennefather blended humor with insight, guiding the audience through a rhythm exercise and recording them for an AI-generated music project he’s presenting at an upcoming summit. His talk centered on AI’s creative potential, demonstrated through his live remix of audience responses in rhythm. The crowd’s response to his phrase “There’s an AI for that!” became a rallying cry throughout the night.
Fergus Linley Mota – WOSK Center for Dialogue, SFU
Fergus’s talk bridged AI and policy, stressing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in tech governance. Reflecting on his time at Oxford and his experience with SFU’s Wosk Centre for Dialogue DoT project, Fergus highlighted the importance of public participation in AI governance.
“The way we talk about technology shapes the future,” he noted, sparking conversations on how to diversify the voices guiding tech policy.
Dean Shev – Fraser Valley Health Authority
Dean Shev, a healthcare innovator, brought a powerful call to action regarding AI’s role in accessible healthcare. He discussed his mental health chatbot, Spectre.ai, a collaborative effort with MØTLEYKRÜG Media, aimed at providing mental health support in underserved communities.
Dean’s work showed a tangible path forward for AI in healthcare, emphasizing, “When the system falls short, we have the tools to create solutions ourselves.”
Brittney Smaila – Neuroscientist, Poet
Brittney invited everyone to stand, breathe, and re-align – literally and figuratively. Her piece, “(Re)Alignment,” was a thought-provoking exploration of balance, both physical and existential, in our tech-driven lives. She wove together reflections on the body’s need for alignment, mindfulness, and the role of AI in daily rituals, pondering whether a future AI might remind us to breathe – or even to choose love.
Brittney’s words resonated deeply, blending humor and insight as she questioned how technology could support, rather than disrupt, our search for equilibrium. It was a compelling meditation on staying grounded in an age of constant digital transformation.
Suzanne Gildert – CEO, Nirvanic Consciousness Technologies
Suzanne gave us a glimpse into the future with her new venture, Nirvanic, which takes AI consciousness research to a whole new level. Her work explores quantum consciousness through AI and quantum computing, aiming to test bold theories on what it means for machines to experience awareness.
Suzanne’s vision of a conscious AI that can tune itself – empathizing and responding dynamically, just like a human – sparked a lot of conversation. It’s a powerful concept that redefines what AI could be, shifting the focus from function to presence and awareness.
Marina “Holy Mother of the Void” – Performance Artist, New Certified Trainer
Marina, performing as the “Holy Mother of the Void,” infused the night with a blend of ritualistic movement and reflective art. Freshly certified as a personal trainer, she reminded everyone of the human need for embodiment, asking,
“How do we maintain our bodies and souls in a world consumed by data?” Her performance was a striking reminder of the importance of grounding our digital selves in physical practice.
John Desnoyer-Stewart – Resident Artist, Space Centre & VR Creator
John showcased his VR installation, Star-Stuff, a permanent feature at the Space Centre, which uses immersive technology to spark cosmic wonder and self-reflection. Through this unique experience, participants encounter themselves as constellations, exploring both their connection to the universe and to each other.
“Through VR, we can create spaces for reflection on the infinite—spaces that AI alone cannot replicate,” John explained, offering a glimpse into the powerful intersection of art and technology as a pathway to self-discovery and collective connection.
Michael Fergusson – Host of “The New Bright Idea” Podcast
Michael brought an interactive dimension with a live podcasting session of “The New Bright Idea,” inviting attendees to be part of spontaneous, collective wisdom.
His engaging approach created a collaborative space where guests could share insights on tech, creativity, and the human side of innovation.
Kemp Edmonds – Creator, Kemperdoodle Udio Station
Kemp offered a playful escape with the Kemperdoodle Udio Station, where attendees could request a custom AI-generated song in any genre, crafted live on the spot. His station quickly became a highlight, showcasing AI’s ability to create unique, personalized music and sparking plenty of laughter and spontaneous dancing.
Ed Kennedy: Audiovisual Synthesizer Artist
Ed Kennedy wowed the audience with his Gieskes HSSB3j audiovisual synthesizer, a piece of tech art that produced mesmerizing, synesthetic creations for both the ears and eyes. His work captivated guests, offering an immersive experience that bridged sound, visuals, and emotion to evoke powerful, imaginative responses.
Ove Holmqvist: Sound Designer and Music Technologist
Ove demonstrated his Holonics Spatial Sensors Generative Music experiment, an innovative exploration of spatial audio that enveloped the audience in an evolving soundscape. As an independent researcher and music technologist, Ove’s presentation invited attendees to dive into a multisensory experience, pushing the boundaries of sound design and sensory perception.
Key Quotes and Takeaways
- “Paddling together means moving forward in unity. We must bring this ethos into how we approach technology.” – Gabriel George Sr.
- “The way we talk about our technology shapes the future, but we can only do that together, with diverse voices in the room.” – Fergus
- “When healthcare falls short, we’re responsible for building new pathways. That’s where Spectre.ai comes in.” – Dean Shev
- “Imagine AI that not only computes but responds with genuine empathy, adapting consciously in every interaction.” – Suzanne Gildert
- “AI can’t replace our humanity, but it can amplify our potential if we center it in the right values.” – Kris Krüg
Special Moments
- Interactive Rhythm and AI Jam: Dr. Patrick Pennefather’s spontaneous rhythm exercise turned into an impromptu AI-generated song with audience participation. This activity, with the audience chanting “There’s an AI for that!”, set the tone for a night of collective experimentation.
- Brittany’s Mindfulness Exercise: Attendees stood and followed Brittany Smaila through a four-count breathing practice, connecting body and mind. Her words, “We must consciously choose to breathe and expand, even in a tech-driven world,” struck a resonant chord.
- Suzanne’s Quantum AI Reveal: Dr. Suzanne Gilderts’s announcement of her AI consciousness startup and her proposal of “tunable” AI consciousness was both intriguing and provocative, pushing attendees to consider AI’s ethical and philosophical implications.
- Closing Remarks and Future Plans: We closed the evening with a rallying call for continued collaboration and announced upcoming events and workshops, inviting attendees to connect, share, and grow together in the Future Proof community.
Engagement and Impact
The energy didn’t fade as the event concluded. Many stayed for networking, discussing possible collaborations and reflecting on the evening’s conversations. The event sparked new connections, including ongoing discussions around mental health tech, art-meets-AI projects, and collaborations for ethical tech education.
Attendees left not only inspired but equipped with insights, potential partnerships, and a shared commitment to building a more connected, ethical tech future. Future Proof Creatives and the Vancovuer AI Community Meetups continues to serve as a hub for collective learning and meaningful action.
Looking Forward
The next Vancouver AI Community Meetup on November 27th at the H.R. Mac Millan Space Centre promises more thought-provoking sessions and hands-on workshops focused on practical AI tools, ethical frameworks, and creativity at the crossroads of technology and humanity.
Stay tuned for upcoming events, project spotlights, and opportunities to dive even deeper into the digital renaissance.
Ender believed in this work, in this community, and in each of us. Let’s honor their memory by staying curious, engaged, and open to the possibilities ahead.
#VANAI #VAI11 #VancouverAI #AIMeetup #FutureProof #EthicalAI
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