What we’re about
The AI Collective is a non-profit, grassroots community uniting 70,000+ pioneers – founders, researchers, operators, and investors – exploring the frontier of AI in major tech hubs worldwide. Through events, workshops, and community-led research, we empower the AI ecosystem to collaboratively steer AI’s future toward trust, openness, and human flourishing.
In Hampton Roads, our chapter brings that mission to life across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and beyond – connecting technologists, creatives, students, and entrepreneurs through intimate meetups, hands-on workshops, and real-world collaborations that drive innovation in healthcare, defense, education, tourism, and the local economy. From fireside chats to industry demo nights, we’re building a trusted space for bold ideas, meaningful dialogue, and collective progress on AI’s cutting edge.
Discord group: https://discord.gg/pMpdNHJDEJ
Upcoming events
5
🧜♀️ The AI Collective HR • Connecting Hampton Roads AI Enthusiasts
NSU Innovation Cetner, 520 E Main St, Norfolk, VA, USEvent Title: Our Final Invention: A Community Town Hall on Navigating the Age of AGI
Event Description:
The smartest people in the room are getting scared. Geoffrey Hinton, the "Godfather of AI," left Google specifically to warn us about the technology he helped create. Top researchers now predict that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—AI with human-level cognitive abilities—could arrive between 2027 and 2030.What happens when we are no longer the smartest beings on the planet?
This isn't just about a "bigger ChatGPT". We're on the verge of a technology that can learn, reason, and solve novel problems on its own —an intellect that could eventually become vastly smarter than the best human brains in every field. The leap could be as significant as the one between a housefly and Einstein.
The stakes couldn't be higher. An aligned AGI could help us cure all diseases and end poverty. A misaligned one could lead to scenarios like an eternal AI dictatorship or even extermination by indifference.
The time to talk about this is not when it happens. It's right now.
Join us for a community town hall to tackle the most important questions of our time. This is not a lecture; it's a moderated, interactive discussion where your voice is crucial. We will explore:
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Our Community's Role: Given the global nature of the AGI race, what meaningful role can a local tech community like ours play in promoting AI safety?
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Defining Our Values: What core human values (like compassion or fairness) should we demand be embedded into these systems before they become too powerful to control?
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Preparing for Disruption: How do we prepare our local economy and workforce for the massive, inevitable disruption AGI will cause to almost every job?
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The Global Pause Dilemma: Should a company on the verge of AGI be required to pause and collaborate globally, or is that a naive hope in a high-stakes competitive race?
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A Call to Action: What is the single most important action—personal, professional, or political—that you can take this year to positively influence the outcome?
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Who Should Attend?
This conversation is for everyone: tech professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, students, and any concerned citizen who wants to understand and shape the future of humanity in the age of intelligent machines.***
About Your Moderator:
This town hall will be moderated by Andrew Stafford. Andrew is the Co-lead for the Global AI Collective - Hampton Roads and cofounder of the AI startup Your AI Group. With 24 years in tech, including roles at Amazon, NASA, and multiple startups, he is an author of 11 books and a board advisor with deep experience in building and deploying advanced technology.***
Agenda:
- 6:00 PM: Doors Open & Networking
- 7:15 PM: Introduction: Framing the AGI Challenge
- 7:30 PM: Moderated Town Hall Discussion
- 8:30 PM: Closing Remarks & Final Q&A
- 8:45 PM: Continued Networking
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Connect with the Community:
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Local Meetup Group: https://www.meetup.com/757-artificial-intelligence/
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Local Luma Group: https://luma.com/user/aicollectivehr
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Discord Group (Slides available here): https://discord.gg/pMpdNHJDEJ
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Global AI Collective: https://www.Aicollective.com
2 attendees-
🧜♀️ The AI Collective HR • AI & Healthcare
ECPI, 5555 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, VA, USJoin us for another AI Collective Hampton Roads event! Whether you're an AI professional, researcher, student, or simply curious about artificial intelligence, this meetup offers a relaxed environment to connect with fellow enthusiasts in the Hampton Roads area. Come share your interests, discuss the latest developments, and help shape the future of our local AI community.
Agenda:
- Welcome & Introductions: Meet the organizers and fellow attendees.
- Topic or workshop: More info coming soon
- AI News Highlights: Brief overview of recent major AI developments to spark conversation.
- Networking: Engage in informal chats over refreshments.
We look forward to seeing you there and building a vibrant AI community in the 757 area!
**The AI Collective **is a global non-profit community uniting 70,000+ pioneers – founders, researchers, operators, and investors – exploring the frontier of AI in major tech hubs worldwide. Through events, workshops, and community-led research, we empower the AI ecosystem to collaboratively steer AI’s future toward trust, openness, and human flourishing.
All attendees and organizers at events affiliated with The AI Collective are subject to our Code of Conduct**.
6 attendees
Past events
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