Artificial Intelligence Startups

A beginner-friendly workshop on advanced AI, government policy, and how this new technology is evolving and impacting society. ​​​​**Free and open to the public — no technical background required** ​​​​In previous workshops, we've seen how AI is a transformative technology like no other, for better or for worse. Beyond the technology itself, however, government regulations and societal norms will inform the impact AI has on our world. ​In this workshop, we will explore what policies have been proposed, which have been implemented and why, and what the impact has been so far. How can we use these lessons to maximize the promise and minimize the peril of AI? ​​​​**Over the course of the workshop, we’ll explore:** * ​**Concepts and Goals:** What problems should AI policies be trying to solve? * ​​​​**Different Kinds of AI Policies:** What policies have been proposed so far? What are the pros and cons? * ​​​​**Political Landscape:** How are financial incentives and conflicting ideologies influencing AI policy? * ​​​​**Case Studies:** What can we learn from what's been passed so far? ​​​​**What you’ll get:** * ​​​​A clear, non-technical introduction to core ideas from AI safety, AI governance, and existential risk research. * ​​​​Small-group discussions and thought experiments that connect AI risks to everyday life, institutions, and incentives. * ​​​​A better mental model for evaluating headlines, hype, and claims about AI progress. ​​​​**Format & vibe:** ​​​​This is not a lecture it is an interactive workshop designed to help people think clearly about a topic that is increasingly important and moving very quickly. ​​​​Whether you’re new to AI, casually interested, or deeply unsure what to believe, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of *why* many researchers take AI seriously—and *what’s actually at stake* if we get it wrong.

We're playing pickleball. Come, play, and meet some new friends. If you don't know how to play, we'll teach you. We have balls and a couple extra paddles. Please bring your own, if you have one. We'll get lunch and drinks afterwards. See you there!

Learn to make chicken blocks using traditional piecing methods, simple straight lines and diagonal seams — no paper piecing or templates (you can make a table runner instead of a quilt if desired). Dudley will also teach you the flip and sew method that **makes perfect points for the chicken crowns and beaks — without having to cut or piece tiny triangles!** Traditional quilting techniques and methods will be taught throughout class. Learn more about this class, view your student supply list, and pay for your registration via Artistic Artifacts’ secure online website: **[https://artisticartifacts.com/products/chicken-quilt-with-dudley-shugart](https://artisticartifacts.com/products/chicken-quilt-with-dudley-shugart)** __________ Due to the size or other requirements of the class or concurrent scheduling, some classes are in our second-floor space: access is via stairs only. Registrations for all Artistic Artifacts classes MUST be paid for through our website at https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk, or via a visit to our shop at 4750 Eisenhower Avenue. We encourage you to RSVP here, but to ensure your seat you MUST follow through via our website. View our complete class policies » https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/class-policies

Hello, Thank you to everyone who makes these meetups a success! A special thanks to those who are able and willing to make a financial contribution to help keep this group going! Feel free to bring you coffee, tea, or preferred NA beverage from anywhere you'd like before heading to Quincy Park. **Logistics:** There are 3 parking lots at the park as well as plenty of street parking. The park is also located right near the Virginia Square - GMU metro station. **Note:** This event is on **Saturday**. We will either push to Sunday or another week if weather is an issue. Well behaved dogs on leashes are allowed(and encouraged!)

Mary Cassatt is one of America's greatest female painters, and she painted women in a time of turbulent change. Sometimes, a painting of a mother with a child is also a painting of a suffragette! Join us at the National Gallery to take a deeper look at 40 of Cassatt's works, including some rarely shown. The East Building's library also features a display of photos, letters, and other artifacts from the artist's life and work. After the art, we'll meet in the cafeteria for gelato and socializing. MEET AT: Just outside the National Gallery's West Building main entrance (facing the National Mall). The West Building is the one with the big columns and stairs out front. Look for Molly with the rainbow LAL sign. NEAREST METRO STOPS: Smithsonian and Archives/Navy Memorial COST: FREE THE ART: Mary Cassatt’s art and life reflect an independent spirit that defied expectations for women in her time. Explore three galleries in the National Gallery’s impressionist collection to look closely at how she worked. Some 40 paintings, drawings, and prints—largely drawn from our rich holdings of her work—show an artist shaped by tradition yet radically modern.

Calling distinguished guests, culinary visionaries, and seekers of higher understanding to join us for our monthly Yen Yen dinner gathering. For centuries, philosophers have debated the great mysteries of existence: What is our purpose? What defines destiny? Why does the complimentary almond cookie somehow taste better when someone else mentions it first? At the conclusion of the meal, honored attendees will receive the Twin Relics of Enlightenment: the almond cookie & the fortune cookie. One offers sweetness. The other offers vague life guidance that somehow always applies to at least one person at the table. This refined and highly serious culinary summit will feature: * strategic entrée negotiations. * casual social discourse. * analysis of fortune cookies. predictions with absolutely no scientific backing. * and the annual-level emotional anticipation of the dessert plate arriving. Cuisine: Chinese Group Size: 6 Peopel Dining: Separate checks Parking: Free onsite parking The meal ends, but the fortunes remain.

This offering, *Rest. Restore. Reconnect: When Slowing Down Feels Hard*, was born from a truth I know intimately — that rest isn’t always easy. That stillness can feel unfamiliar. That slowing down can bring us face-to-face with everything we’ve been carrying. **And yet… it’s also where the healing begins.** **[REGISTER HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rest-restore-reconnect-3-week-yin-restorative-popup-yoga-experience-tickets-1988229785811?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **DROP INS: $20.00 PER SESSION** **ALL THREE SESSIONS: $60.00** **TWO FOR ONE ALL THREE SESSIONS: $70.00 (invite a friend)** **DATES: Saturday, June 13, Saturday, June 20, and Saturday, June 27** **TIMES: 10 AM - 11 AM** Over the course of three Saturdays, we’ll gather in a space at the **Black Owned Teahouse: [Adjourn Teahouse](https://adjournteahouse.com) in Lanham, MD,** intentionally curated for softness, support, and gentle return. Through yin + restorative yoga therapy, you’ll be guided to release tension, regulate your nervous system, and reconnect with your body in a way that feels safe and sustainable. This is not about doing more. This is about allowing yourself to *be*. And because your experience matters beyond the mat, each session will close with a beautiful tea time — a moment to integrate, connect, and savor. There will be other thoughtful touches woven throughout… little surprises to deepen your experience and make each gathering feel like a retreat from the noise of everyday life. If you’ve been feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or disconnected… If your body has been asking you to slow down, but you haven’t known how… This space was created with you in mind. **[REGISTER HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rest-restore-reconnect-3-week-yin-restorative-popup-yoga-experience-tickets-1988229785811?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **DROP INS: $20.00 PER SESSION** **ALL THREE SESSIONS: $60.00** **TWO FOR ONE ALL THREE SESSIONS: $70.00 (invite a friend)** **DATES: Saturday, June 13, Saturday, June 20, and Saturday, June 27** **TIMES: 10 AM - 11 AM** ALL ARE WELCOMED Limited spots available — because intimacy, presence, and care are at the heart of this experience. I can’t wait to hold space for you 🌿✨

**大家好**！Let's get together and have a casual chat for all levels of Chinese from beginner to native speakers. 大家都欢迎参加我们的聚会！ Please join us on **Sunday, June 14, 2026** at **10 AM** at The Roost on Capitol Hill located at **1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003**. The Roost is a 2-minute walk from the Potomac Avenue Metro Station (Blue / Orange / Silver). If you live nearby, you can reach this destination by bicycle in 5-10 minutes. The neighborhood near The Roost has free two-hour street parking. **We will meet in the seating area located behind the bar called "Show of Hands"** (it is located to your left when you enter through the front doors). Table signs will be placed on the tables so that you can easily find us. We encourage you to order coffee or brunch while you enjoy chit chatting with other Chinese speakers and learners. Coffee or brunch can be ordered by using the QR code on the table, and a server will conveniently bring your order to you. **SAVE THE DATE!** Below are the expected dates in 2026, but additional dates may also be scheduled: July 5, 2026 August 9, 2026 September 13, 2026 October 18, 2026 November 8, 2026 November 29, 2026 - NEW DATE (I'm in China the month of December)

**\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET At** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix) (Multiple Meetup groups are co-organizing so the RSVP's shown are just a very small portion attending. We'll have at least 20 registered.) Our last online Bingo Night Party was such a BIG hit, we're doing it again! Do you like to play BINGO or want to just do something different?! Then you will LOVE this event! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live "Bingo" game. You will also get to socialize and make other friends from the comfort of your home. Prizes included Amazon gift cards, free future events and more! This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. You will either need to print or draw out your bingo cards. We will email you with how to get it after registering. You can have more than 1 person on your team as long as they're from your house and use same device. Friends/family around the country can also play. They would just need to also register for a ticket. This event will be held on Zoom which you would access through your computer/webcam, or via your phone/tablet. On day of the event, you will get a secured Zoom link and link to print out Bingo cards. \*RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. Cost: $15-$20 depending on how early you register. **\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET AT -** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix)

A soft afternoon of movement, creativity, strategy, and connection. Join us for a wellness centered gathering designed to help women slow down, recharge, and meet new people in a low pressure, intentional space. This DC fair will have: 🧘🏽‍♀️ Pilates & gentle movement ♟️ Casual chess + beginner-friendly tables 🎨 Art & creative stations ☕ Light bites, conversation, and community Whether you want to stretch, paint, learn chess, or simply exist around good energy for a few hours, you’re welcome here. For some reason the address wasn’t popping up in meetup but it’s 670 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002. Send me a direct message on Meetup if you’re having an issue joining the WhatsApp group.

*Root* is a game of woodland might and right. Stalk the woods as one of the Vagabonds, seize the initiative with the Eyrie birds of prey, rule over your subjects as the Marquise de Cat, or command the Woodland Alliance to create a new order. With creatures and cunning, you'll rule a fantastic forest kingdom in the ultimate asymmetric board game of adventure and war.

### Drop-In Improv Class — Beginner Friendly **Improv for good people.** Join us for a fun, beginner-friendly drop-in improv class focused on play, laughter, and connection — in a supportive, no-pressure environment. You don’t need performance experience, improv training, or a “funny personality.” You just need a willingness to try. *** ### What to expect Each session includes: * Friendly introductions * Easy warm-ups * Guided short-form improv games * Lots of laughter in a small, welcoming group The exercises are inspired by shows like *Whose Line Is It Anyway?*, but the focus is on participation, not performance. *** ### A few important reassurances ✔ You don’t need to be “funny” ✔ You don’t need improv experience ✔ You *do* need curiosity and a willingness to play Everything is explained clearly, and you’re never put on the spot. *** ### Who this class is for This class is a great fit if you: * Are curious about improv but a little nervous * Want to meet new people in a genuinely welcoming space * Enjoy playful learning and low-pressure activities * Want a break from overthinking and daily stress Many people arrive unsure and leave smiling. *** ### How Meetup fits in Many participants first discover Laughy Place Improv through Meetup, attend a class or two, and then decide whether they’d like to continue by booking future classes directly through the website. There’s no pressure — Meetup is meant to be an easy, friendly way to try things out. *** ### Location & logistics 📍 **Theatre on the Run** 3700 S Four Mile Run Dr, Arlington, VA Parking and entrance are on the opposite side of the building from Four Mile Run Drive. Use the door labeled **“Arlington Cultural Affairs – Main Entrance.”** Ring the doorbell to be buzzed in. Sunday classes are usually in room 174 and Wednesday classes are usually in room 147, but you can check the class list by the concierge desk to be certain. I’ll be in the room about 20 minutes early to set up and meet folks as they arrive. If you can, please come a few minutes before the scheduled start time so we can kick things off together. *** Looking forward to laughing with you!

**Join us in Falls Church for conversations that go beyond small talk.** Higher Grounds – Falls Church is where this growing network of gatherings began: a space for thoughtful, authentic dialogue about what matters most. Whether we’re exploring the nature of happiness, the challenges and possibilities of midlife, spirituality, culture, capitalism, parenting, or the role of art and travel in a meaningful life, every conversation is shaped by the people in the room. There’s no set leader or rigid agenda—just a shared commitment to listen as much as we speak. We start with brief introductions focused on what makes you *you* (not your LinkedIn bio), then dive straight into whatever is on people’s minds. The direction of each meetup emerges organically, making every event unique. MANDATORY: PLEASE REVIEW OUR COMMUNITY GUIDELINES IN THE GROUP DESCRIPTION. Everyone is expected to engage in respectful conversations and listen deeply as well as share. We have a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment and hate speech. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others in Falls Church who are also seeking deeper conversations. **Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions** 1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging? 2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists? 3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about? **Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles** 1. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you? 2. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed? 3. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted? **Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human** 1. What human experiences will AI never truly understand? 2. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do? 3. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated? **Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning** 1. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space? 2. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live? 3. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self? **Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche** 1. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have? 2. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire? 3. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept? **Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose** 1. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you? 2. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors? 3. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years? **Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection** 1. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why? 2. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best? 3. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others? **Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality** 1. What are you running out of time to say or do? 2. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite? 3. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail? **Suggested Questions: Society & Culture** 1. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense? 2. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing? 3. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years? **Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy** 1. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way? 2. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out 3. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

Social Sips & Bites Presents: A Monthly Culinary Experience **Small Group • Big Flavor • Great Company** June monthly culinary experience takes us to Morocco. Each month, a small group of just 12 food lovers will gather at one handpicked spot in the DMV area, chosen for its vibrant flavors, cozy vibe, and overall wow factor. Think hidden gems, chef-driven menus, and memorable bites. This isn’t just about eating out. It’s about sharing a beautiful meal, great conversation, and unrushed time together. Reservations will be made in advance, so you can relax, savor the moment, and connect. Whether you’re a foodie, an adventurer, or just someone who loves a well-plated dish, this is your table. Fettoosh is a highly-rated, family-run Moroccan and Lebanese restaurant in Arlington, VA, known for its authentic, home-style cooking, particularly its Chicken Bastilla, tagines, and couscous. It's praised for its friendly service, generous portions, and flavorful dishes like Harira soup, Zaalouk, and shawarma platters, with options for vegetarians and vegans. Please be mindful of your RSVP, no shows and cancel on the day of will not guarantee you a spot in the next foodie adventure.

Title: Smart Search + AI: An Outcome-Driven Journey from IDP to a Suite of AI Register at the Columbus AWS meetup: [https://www.meetup.com/columbus-aws-amazon-web-services-meetup/events/313426379/](https://www.meetup.com/columbus-aws-amazon-web-services-meetup/events/313426379/) Over a billion documents processed. Millions of Veterans impacted. Hundreds of thousands of employee hours saved. Faster decisions. Greater accuracy. More benefits in the hands of our disabled Veterans. We created Smart Search, the world’s largest consumer of Amazon Textract, right when GenAI began reshaping what’s possible. Since then, we’ve built a suite of AI‑driven solutions that transform this data into real, measurable outcomes—accelerating benefits decisions for our Nation’s Veterans. Join us for a focused conversation on how an outcome‑driven approach to AI is helping us boost accuracy, streamline workflows, and deliver faster results for those who have served. This is a follow up to the AWS re:Invent 2023 "Intelligent Document Processing with Gen AI for Public Sector" presentation. About Speaker: Cameron Williams is a Senior Technical Project Manager and cross-functional technical leader at Booz Allen Hamilton with 15+ years of experience architecting and evolving scalable, cloud-native systems, from greenfield development to complex enterprise modernization. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronw711/ **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

Over a billion documents processed. Millions of Veterans impacted. Hundreds of thousands of employee hours saved. Faster decisions. Greater accuracy. More benefits in the hands of our disabled Veterans. We created Smart Search, the world’s largest consumer of Amazon Textract, right when GenAI began reshaping what’s possible. Since then, we’ve built a suite of AI‑driven solutions that transform this data into real, measurable outcomes—accelerating benefits decisions for our Nation’s Veterans. Join us for a focused conversation on how an outcome‑driven approach to AI is helping us boost accuracy, streamline workflows, and deliver faster results for those who have served. This is a follow up to the AWS re:Invent 2023 "Intelligent Document Processing with Gen AI for Public Sector" presentation. About Speaker: Cameron Williams is a Senior Technical Project Manager and cross-functional technical leader at Booz Allen Hamilton with 15+ years of experience architecting and evolving scalable, cloud-native systems, from greenfield development to complex enterprise modernization. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronw711/ **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

Join the Columbus AI community for a special event. **Battle of the Personal Agents** is your chance to see what people are actually building with AI agents and personal automation systems. Whether you’re running OpenClaw, Hermes, or a completely custom solution, bring your agent and show the community how it works. We’re interested in real-world implementations: the problems your agent solves, how you use it day-to-day, how it’s hosted and managed, how you built it, and why you’ve chosen to keep using it. Live demonstrations are encouraged, so be prepared to show your code, architecture, workflows, and your agent performing real tasks. This is less about polished presentations and more about sharing practical experience, comparing approaches, and learning from one another. If you’d like to present, please contact Chris Slee (via meetup) before the event so we can allocate enough time for everyone’s demonstrations. Come ready to show what you’ve built, discover what others are doing, and maybe find a few ideas worth taking home. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.linkedin.com/company/transformlabs/) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/transformlabshq)

## 🤝 Host Information A co-hosted event by ProductTank Columbus & Women in Product Columbus 💡 About the Workshop AI adoption is stalling across organizations — not because of a lack of motivation or tools, but because it's fundamentally a behavior design challenge. This hands-on workshop applies proven Behavior Design models and methods to help you move from a vague organizational wish to boost AI adoption to 3-5 concrete, testable interventions you can act on starting tomorrow. Whether you're a product manager, on a product team, or just someone trying to get AI to actually stick at work, you'll leave with a clear picture of what's worth focusing on, what to ignore, and how to drive real, sustained adoption — no guesswork required. 🛠️ What to Bring Laptop: Fully charged and ready to go. AI Assistant: Have your favorite AI assistant pulled up. (Dom will be using Claude, but feel free to use whichever assistant you prefer!) 🍕 Logistics & Perks Food & Drink: Pizza and drinks provided! Parking: Plenty of free spaces available on-site. ###

Most people still use AI like a search box: type one question, get one answer, repeat. But the next step is AI agents: systems that can take a goal, break it into steps, use tools, remember context, and produce useful work for a human to review. In this beginner-friendly session, we’ll demystify what AI agents actually are — without hype or jargon. We’ll walk through practical examples of how agents can help with research, planning, writing, coding, operations, and personal productivity. We’ll cover: * What makes an AI “agent” instead of just a chatbot * How agents break tasks into steps * Where agents are genuinely useful today * Where they fail, hallucinate, or need human review * How to design simple AI workflows for your own work * A live demo of an AI agent-style workflow from start to finish No coding experience required. This is for anyone who wants to understand where AI tools are going and how to use them more effectively right now. LOGISTICS AND PARKING: The talk starts at 7:00 PM. The first half hour is reserved for everyone to get set up and mingle. Free pizza and drinks! The cheapest parking option is to find street parking, which will only cost you a few bucks. Otherwise, park in the nearby veteran's museum lot for $8. It's highly recommended you avoid the nearby $15 garage parking.

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)