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A regional chapter of the BC + AI Ecosystem Society

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What this is: A chance to back the AI conversation on Vancouver Island while it's still being built. On the ground floor, in your own region, with the people who actually show up.

Who we are: BC + AI Ecosystem Society, a registered BC nonprofit (Society #S0083444). Three years of monthly community meetups in Vancouver (27 and counting, hosted at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre), a newsletter with 20,000+ subscribers, and active regional nodes in Surrey, Squamish, Powell River, Hornby Island, and now the Comox Valley.

We build in public. Everything has a paper trail. We're easy to work with.

Why we exist: to make sure the AI conversation in BC stays human-centered: diverse voices, real questions, and room for both enthusiasm and critical thinking. Not Silicon Valley hype-cycle. Not closed-door industry policy. The actual people.

Why Comox Valley: The interesting work isn't only happening in Vancouver. The valley already has:

• A Meta AI contractor building GPU infrastructure on Hornby Island
• Linux kernel developers working on aerospace and defense systems
• North Island College running change-management curriculum for the AI shift
• A startup incubator with genomics and quantum projects in the pipeline
• The Mayor of Courtenay (a former tech founder) actively engaged
• K'omoks First Nation as a cultural and venue partnership
• Comox Valley AI is where these people meet, in their region, on their terms, with a direct line back to the broader provincial network.

Regional Lead: Lourdes Gant (sustainability entrepreneur, Manatee Holdings, AI C-Suite Services)

Founding Advisor: Kris Krüg (BC + AI Founder; family roots in Comox and Hornby)

What we've already done: Meetup #0, April 8, 2026, at Native Sons Hall, Courtenay