About us
This is a group for people who want to explore, share, and learn about artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural networks, intelligent machines etc. and understand the creative minds behind these creations.
We meet at least twice every month at EPIC Innovation. We typically feature a couple of speakers, mingle with drinks, and share new tools and insights about AI.
Give feedback on the group, or apply to speak, by filling out this form.
Upcoming events
4
April AI Meetup - Vibe Coding & Web App Development with AI
EPIC Innovation Center, 78-100 Manchester St, Christchurch, NZExplore how SOPs can be turned into Web Apps with Vibe Coding on Claude in April's First Monday Meetup. Greg Dickson will be showing how non-developers can transform Standard Operating Procedures into fully functional web applications, while Caelan Huntress will be sharing how to build software by describing what you want instead of writing code. Drinks, demos, and practical takeaways included.
Meet up with your local AI community on the First Monday of April at EPIC Innovation:
5:30–6:00 pm — Drinks & Networking
6:00–6:45 pm — Greg Dickson - Web Apps for Non-Devs
6:45–7:30 pm — Caelan Huntress - Vibe Coding with Claude
7:30–8:00 pm — Drinks & Open Q&AFrom SOP to Web App (No Developers Required) — Greg Dickson
Learn how non-developers can transform Standard Operating Procedures into fully functional internal web applications, no coding experience needed.Key Points:
• Turn any documented process into an interactive tool your whole team can use
• Build apps with user logins, databases, and professional interfaces — all through conversation
• Eliminate bottlenecks waiting for IT or development resources
• Scale your internal processes without scaling your tech teamWho This Is For:
- Operations managers, team leads, and business owners
- Anyone with SOPs who wants to make them easier to follow and enforce
- Non-technical professionals looking to build real tools for their teams
Vibe Coding with Claude — Caelan Huntress
Discover how to build software by describing what you want instead of writing code line by line. Learn the art of "vibe coding" — where you set the direction, and Claude handles the implementation.Key Points:
• Code through conversation: Express your ideas naturally and watch them become working software
• Debug faster by explaining problems instead of hunting through stack traces
• Iterate rapidly: Change direction mid-build without rewriting everything
• Build beyond your skill level: Create full-stack applications even if you're not a developer
• Learn while you build: Understand what's happening under the hood through AI explanationsWho This Is For:
- Founders and entrepreneurs who need to ship products quickly
- Developers who want to code at the speed of thought
- Product managers ready to prototype their own ideas
- Anyone who's ever been frustrated by the gap between vision and execution
***
When: Monday, 6 April, 5:30–8:00 pm
Where: EPIC Innovation, Christchurch
***Sponsored by the AI Coaching Academy. Come have some 🍻 beer and wine🍷 and raise a glass with your local AI Community!
https://ai-coaching.academy/56 attendees
The AI Tension — Implementation vs Existential Risk
EPIC Innovation Center, 78-100 Manchester St, Christchurch, NZArtificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, and with it comes a growing tension: How should we build it—and what happens if we get it wrong?
This event explores both sides of that question, bringing together two perspectives that rarely share the same stage. Dr Elsamari Botha examines multi-dimensional AI literacy frameworks, and Hazel Shanks shares 'The Doom Thesis' from the Yudkowsky book. Drinks, demos, and practical takeaways included.Meet up with your local AI community at EPIC Innovation:
5:30–6:00 pm — Drinks & Networking
6:00–6:45 pm — Dr Elsamari Botha - AI Implementation & Governance in Practice
6:45–7:30 pm — Hazel Shanks - The Doom Thesis
7:30–8:00 pm — Drinks & Open Q&AThis month's General AI Meetup dives into practical implementation frameworks for AI readiness, and a review of the Yudkowsky book.
Beyond Prompting: Multi-Dimensional AI Literacy and New Operating Models for the AI Era — Dr Elsamari Botha
AI is already being deployed across industries—but implementation is not just technical. It’s organisational, ethical, and strategic. The integration of AI into organizations represents more than a technological upgrade, it demands a fundamental transformation in how we work, decide, and deliver value.While many AI upskilling efforts focus narrowly on prompting techniques, truly thriving in an AI-enabled world requires a far more comprehensive approach. This talk explores two critical dimensions of organizational readiness for AI: Multidimensional AI Literacy Frameworks, and new Operating Models for the AI Era (and the skills employees will need to thrive in these contexts).
In this session, Dr Elsamari will:
• Define what multi-dimensional AI literacy really means beyond prompting
• Present frameworks for building AI capability across organizations
• Explore new operating models required for the AI era
• Discuss the skills employees need to thrive in AI-enabled environmentsHazel Shanks - The Doom Thesis — Why “If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies”
What if the biggest risk isn’t misuse—but success?
Hazel introduces the Doom Thesis: the general argument for 'X-risk' from advanced AI.
Together, we will explore:- The plans to build superintelligence at AI labs
- The core argument behind the Doomer perspective
- Whether current governance approaches are enough
- What it would actually mean to “pause” or restrict AI development
- Is the book worth reading?
This session challenges assumptions and expands the frame—inviting you to consider what’s at stake if AI continues to scale unchecked.
***
When: Monday, 4 May, 5:30–8:00 pm
Where: EPIC Innovation, Christchurch***
Sponsored by AI Coaching Academy. Come have some beer and wine and raise a glass with your local AI Community!
11 attendees
Past events
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