Building a Grass Roots AI Community of Practice

A Vancouver-Centered Use Case

Abstract

This reflection begins with the introduction of a Vancouver-centric AI community as a use case to explore what we might learn about the capacity of generative AI to support community building. The inquiry begins an adventure in uncovering previous theory that speaks to the idea that assertions can be made which are specific to a particular place and history. Aligned with situated and place-based knowing, what we discover in breaking apart what makes the Vancouver AI Community Meetup work might inspire those who are considering the development of their own localized communities centered around curiosity toward, integration of, experimentation with, and resistance to public and private generative AI. We propose that at its core, the Vancouver AI community of practice (CoP) demonstrates that building a successful tech community requires a delicate balance of regular engagement, inclusivity, continuous documentation, and social sharing, and a commitment to facilitating formal and informal learning. By embracing these principles, other emerging communities may be able to draw inspiration from Vancouver’s example and cultivate their own vibrant ecosystems of innovation and collaboration.