<p><strong>It's dark December in Vancouver. The solstice approaches.</strong></p><p>​Two years ago, we started gathering trying to figure out what AI meant for the work we make and the communities we serve.</p><p>​3,300+ people have moved through this space. Hundreds have demoed projects, spoken, hacked through the night, or contributed in ways that pushed the whole thing forward. At the darkest point of the year, we light up the work that mattered most.</p><p><strong>​The Squatchies</strong></p><p><strong>​<em>Celebrating human-machine collaboration, homegrown intelligence, and the creative rebels shaping our shared future.</em></strong></p><p>​Six awards for the people who moved the needle this year.</p><p>​The organizers who held space. The Indigenous technologists building sovereignty through code. The artists integrating AI into their practice. The builders who shared their work so others could build.</p><p>​We're calling them <strong>The Squatchies</strong> named for something that's always been here, in the trees and the stories. These awards belong to BC, made by the community that's building here.</p><p><strong>​Why This Matters</strong></p><p>​The AI story is being shaped by centralized power, but here we're cultivating something else: community-driven intelligence rooted in ethics, imagination, and impact.</p><p>​<strong><em>BC is a biome of intelligence... ecological, emotional, ancestral, and algorithmic. </em></strong>These awards recognize the minds and movements shaping our province's distinct AI culture.</p><p>​Hosted by the<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://kriskrug.co/"> Kris Krüg</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://vancouver.bc-ai.net/">Vancouver AI</a> &amp; community-driven <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://bc-ai.ca/"><strong>BC + AI </strong>industry association</a>, the awards are a <strong>ritual of recognition</strong>, a <strong>call to gather</strong>, and a <strong>statement of values</strong> for an ecosystem growing in the shadow of Big Tech yet dreaming its own dream.</p><p><strong>​Special Holiday Performance by Alex, Zaro &amp; Professor Patrick Parra Pennefather</strong></p><p>​Join us early for a unique holiday sound experience led by Patrick and the crew. We’re doing a live, interactive performance that captures the festive energy of the room and turns it into something special. It’s the perfect way to connect and celebrate another year of building this ecosystem together.</p><p><strong>​The Night's Agenda</strong></p><p>​Here's how we're marking the moment...</p><p>​<strong>The Squatchies Awards</strong> — Six recognitions for people and projects that pushed BC's AI ecosystem forward</p><p>​<strong>Patrick Penfather's AI Musical Performance</strong> — Holiday-themed, interactive, legendary</p><p>​<strong>Year-End Wrap-Up &amp; 2025 Roadmap</strong> — Where we've been, where we're going</p><p><strong>​</strong><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://bc-ai.net/"><strong>THE BC + AI ECOSYSTEM</strong></a></p><p>​​<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://luma.com/vancouver-ai">Vancouver AI </a>was just the start.<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://bc-ai.ca/"> BC's AI Ecosystem</a> continues to grow, with new community hubs emerging in Surrey, Victoria, Kelowna, and beyond—each contributing unique perspectives to a thriving, interconnected network.</p><p>​​<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://bc-ai.ca/">BC + AI</a> represents a collective, province-wide effort to democratize AI knowledge, innovation, and opportunity. ​</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://bc-ai.ca/membership/">Become a Member</a> → </p><p>​<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://luma.com/vancouver-ai">Together we're co-crea<em>ting understanding.</em></a></p>