Cypherpunk

Every Wednesday Night! Free Magic The Gathering Commander games at Hairy Tarantula, hosted by Toronto Gaymers! Please note: Masks are required in store! For more information and to RSVP please over to harryt.com/events

**This is a ticketed event. Please register at [this link](https://luma.com/zcsyrtrx).** ​With [Duncan Cass-Beggs](https://www.cigionline.org/people/duncan-cass-beggs/?utm_source=luma), Executive Director of the Global AI Risks Initiative at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). ​Prominent AI scientists and national security experts are raising the alarm that it may soon become technically possible to build autonomous AI systems capable of posing an extinction risk to humanity. While timelines are uncertain – with most informed estimates ranging from 2 to 10 years – recent advances suggest that AI systems could soon reach a critical threshold and feedback loop of recursive self-improvement. In this context, societies and governments must prepare now to address the most challenging AI scenarios. ​Based on current trends, the most powerful AI systems will likely be developed by frontier AI companies in the United States or China. Canada, like most other countries, therefore, lacks direct influence over the AI developments that may most affect our future. This doesn’t mean we have to resign ourselves to a fate determined by others. Along with efforts to promote AI adoption, innovation, and sovereignty, Canada can help to lead an international effort to avoid the worst global scale risks of AI – and make sure AI goes well and for the benefit of all. The challenges – technological, philosophical, political – are complex and daunting, especially under possibly very short timelines. But they are challenges most worthy of our commitment in this tumultuous and pivotal time. ​Building on CIGI’s recently published [Special Report on AI National Security Scenarios](https://www.cigionline.org/publications/ai-national-security-scenarios/), this session will lay out the key arguments for an international coalition of willing middle powers and others to lead urgent efforts to address global scale risks from AI. The session will then engage participants in a roll-up the sleeves discussion of Canada’s potential interests, roles, and points of leverage, and how best to rapidly mobilize Canada’s contribution. ​​​**Event Schedule** 6:00 to 6:30 - Food and introductions 6:30 to 7:30 - Presentation and Q&A 7:30 to 9:00 - Open Discussions ​​​​​​If you can't make it in person, feel free to join the live stream starting at 6:30 pm, via [this link](https://www.youtube.com/@Trajectory-Labs/live).

🪞 My Inner Mirror – Inner Alchemy Workshop Through Art Therapy 🎨 Immerse yourself in a unique and transformative workshop, blending artistic creation, meditation, and inner exploration. This guided introspective space will allow you to manifest your inner reality through art, shifting perceptions and strengthening your connection with your subconscious. 🌟 Why Join? ✅ Visually express your inner world and uncover its hidden messages ✅ Deepen your connection with your subconscious through guided meditation ✅ Use art as a tool for transformation and self-analysis ✅ Learn interpretation techniques to better understand your creations No artistic skills required – this workshop is accessible to everyone! 🧘‍♂️ Workshop Flow: 1. Breathing Exercises – Mental and energetic preparation for meditation 2. Guided Meditation – Activating the subconscious and awakening intuition 3. Mirror Drawing Creation – Representing your inner reality through art 4. Interpretation & Examples – Understanding the symbols and messages within your artwork 5. Sharing & Q/A – A space for discussion and guidance 📌 Required Materials: 🔹 Paper: Blank sheets (A4 or A3 format, no grid lines) 🔹 Artistic tools: Pencils, brushes, markers, or any medium of your choice ⏳ Duration: 2 hours 💫 Guidance: This workshop is led by Ludovic, exploring inner alchemy through yoga and art therapy. 🪞 Let your true essence emerge, observe your inner reflection, and uncover the secrets your subconscious wishes to reveal. ✅ Reserve your spot now and embark on this transformative journey! **✨ Join Our Wellness Community** More on [https://www.yogasource.org](https://www.yogasource.org)

Please see below for details of our April 15 event. Visit our [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/owasp-toronto-april-2026-tickets-1986283430209) page to RSVP! APIs power virtually every web and mobile application, accounting for over 80% of all Internet traffic. And APIs are under attack. Gartner states APIs have become the “most frequent attack vector," resulting in hundreds of highly successful, high profile breaches. This API security presentation covers 1) why attackers love APIs, 2) real-world breaches (and how they map to the OWASP API Security Top 10), and 3) best practices to keep APIs secure.

\*\***Please note this is NOT a language learning event**: it is intended for those with a **good command of German**. If you are learning German, please check out our calendar for the German Conversations event the fourth Wednesday of the month (e.g. October 23 this month) which is designed for you!\*\* Let's shake things up ever so slightly by trying out some other quality places in the immediate area. Thanks to a group member for the suggestion to try the Duke of York just a bit further east on Prince Arthur between Bedford and Avenue Road. They have indoor and outdoor spaces, good food and lots of beers. In business for decades, it is a great Toronto neighbourhood institution. \-\-\-\- **Thank you to our sponsor – Wir danken unserem Sponsor** Our group could not exist without our sponsor, Steffen Hugo. Professional Real Estate Services for Houses, Condos, Investments, Rentals. More info [here](https://www.steffenhugo.com/). Ohne unseren Sponsor, Steffen Hugo, ginge diese Meetupgruppe nicht. Profesionelle Immobiliendienstleistungen für Häuser, Wohnungen,Investitionsobjekte, Vermietungen. Weitere Infos [hier](https://www.steffenhugo.com/uber-mich/). \-\-\-\- Website/Webseite: https://dukepubs.ca/duke-of-york/ Address/Adresse: 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1B2 Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/DunJjLY8ehZ3A84JA TTC: Subway Lines 1 or 2 to St. George. Take the Bedford exit, then 100m to the pub. / U-Bahnlinien 1 oder 2 bis St. George. Ausgang Bedford, dann 100m zu Fuss. Green P Parking: [Carpark 58](https://parking.greenp.com/carpark/58_9-bedford-road-hotel-intercontinental/) around the corner off Bedford north of Bloor St W / um die Ecke in der Bedford St nördlich der Bloor Street. Bike Share Toronto station: Taddle Creek Park, Lowther and Bedford / im Taddle Creek Park, Lowther Ecke Bedford. Please RVSP, because this helps us with planning. Bitte meldet Ihr Euch an, weil es uns bei der Planung hilft. **COVID-19 Health Policy – COVID-19 Gesundheitsregeln** We want to protect your health, the health of your fellow members, and the health of the staff members where we meet. We encourage all attendees to be fully vaccinated, and encourage the wearing of masks when not seated or standing at one of our tables. Wir wollen Ihre Gesundheit, die der anderen Mitglieder der Gruppe und der Mitarbeiter, wo wir uns treffen, schützen. Wir empfehlen, daß Ihr vollständig geimpft seid. Wir empfehlen eine Maske zu tragen wenn Ihr nicht an einem Tisch sitzt oder steht. I look forward to seeing everyone! Ich freue mich auf Euren Besuch! Yours / Grüße, Robert Quickert Organizer – Greater Toronto German Club

The next event is happening on Wednesday April 15 at 630 PM at Steadfast Brewery! Please RSVP if you're planning on coming so we can plan appropriately! To help cover the costs of meetup fees, we will be taking optional donations for this event. If you're inclined to, feel free to send any amount you're comfortable with to harresh.s@hotmail.com, or bring cash to the event. Please note that this is entirely optional and not required to join the event! All proceeds will go towards fees for this event and future events, as well as meetup fees.

Living On Video + DJ Lazarus presents Tickets ONLY $10: https://spellboundSPA.eventbrite.ca **Sat April 18 - SPELLBOUND Video Dance Party. GOTH / DARKWAVE / POST-PUNK / INDUSTRIAL w/ She Past Away Spotlight** SPELLBOUND is Canada's ONLY dark music video dance party. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Goth A.F. Contest $100 prize + custom trophy to the most gothed up patron. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Saturday April 18, 2026 SPELLBOUND: Goth Video Dance Party w/ She Past Away Spotlight Ground Control - 1279 Queen St West - Toronto Lounge 9pm - Mainroom: 10pm - 19+ Event $10 advanced: https://spellboundSPA.eventbrite.ca $15 at the door INVITE: www.facebook.com/events/1649118399601897/ (Please INVITE your friends) SPELLBOUND is a goth multimedia dance experience with classic and fresh dark music videos. SOCIAL: www.facebook.com/groundcontroltoronto www.facebook.com/livingonvideoclub www.facebook.com/djlazarusrocks www.instagram.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitch.tv/livingonvideoclub www.mixcloud.com/livingonvideo www.twitter.com/djlazarusrocks

Most people hear "Evil Twin" and think fake login page at a coffee shop. Harvest some passwords, call it a day. That's the tutorial version. That's not what this talk is about. Harold "superkojiman" Rodriguez is going to show what happens when you actually build out Evil Twin infrastructure and use it as a real attack platform. Not just phishing — direct methods of gaining access to target systems. The tooling, the infrastructure, the tradecraft. How a technique most people write off as basic becomes a legitimate entry point in an engagement. **What we'll cover:** \- How Evil Twin setups go way beyond credential harvesting \- Direct methods for gaining access to target systems \- Attack chains that start with network positioning \- Real\-world scenarios where these techniques actually matter \- The defensive gaps most security teams miss **About the speaker:** Harold has been doing this for over 15 years. Red team operations, penetration testing, vulnerability research, exploit development — the full spectrum. He's authored boot2root and CTF challenges, built open-source security tools, and written tutorials that have been floating around the community for years. If you've done any offensive security training or CTF work, there's a good chance you've run into his stuff. **Details:** \- Thursday\, April 16\, 2026 \- Doors at 6:30 PM\. Talk starts shortly after\. \- Stan\, 100 Queens Quay East\, Toronto Stick around after for the hallway track. That's where half the good conversations happen. DC416 is Toronto's DEFCON group. Monthly meetups. Technical talks. No vendor pitches. No fluff.

SPACE IS LIMITED! This is a much smaller class than our 7:30 pm event and we can only accept a limited number of students. Key areas of focus: Practicing oral communication (speaking languages), for conversations, presentations, interviews and job skills Schedule: 1. 6:30- 7:15 pm : 45 -minute language conversation class with certified award-winning language teacher John Dias. 2. Language exchange social (7:30-11 pm): includes Free access to the Toronto's BIGGEST Language Party and Social Party also in the Madison Pub led by teacher John Dias (same location) **Cost: just $ 5 while we have this promo.** **PROMO (Limited Time): $5 fee will give you access to both events (usual rate: $15 total)** Feel free to message us if you have any questions!

Living On Video + DJ Lazarus presents Tickets ONLY $10: https://spellboundSPA.eventbrite.ca Sat April 18 - SPELLBOUND Video Dance Party. GOTH / DARKWAVE / POST-PUNK / INDUSTRIAL w/ She Past Away Spotlight SPELLBOUND is Canada's ONLY dark music video dance party. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Goth A.F. Contest $100 prize + custom trophy to the most gothed up patron. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Saturday April 18, 2026 SPELLBOUND: Goth Video Dance Party w/ She Past Away Spotlight Ground Control - 1279 Queen St West - Toronto Lounge 9pm - Mainroom: 10pm - 19+ Event $10 advanced: https://spellboundSPA.eventbrite.ca $15 at the door INVITE: www.facebook.com/events/1649118399601897/ (Please INVITE your friends) SPELLBOUND is a goth multimedia dance experience with classic and fresh dark music videos. SOCIAL: www.facebook.com/groundcontroltoronto www.facebook.com/livingonvideoclub www.facebook.com/djlazarusrocks www.instagram.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitch.tv/livingonvideoclub www.mixcloud.com/livingonvideo www.twitter.com/djlazarusrocks

This is an online Sunday retreat to: **develop basic fluency** in the practices, concepts, and **language of spiritual experience** with like-minded people; **cultivate attunement** and connection with oneself and others; access flow states, embodied awareness, grounded and centered presence & consciousness; and taste the transcendent already present in the core of our being. This workshop is for anyone who struggles to notice or articulate their subtle experience, and/or those who struggle to slow down, to drop out of drive gear into neutral; those wanting **out of the doing mode and enter into the being mode**; to awaken the inner source of meaning, value, purpose, connection, and wisdom; and to share that presence in relation to others. We’ll move through a multi‑modal series of participatory practices across the DIME framework – Dialogical, Imaginal, Mindfulness, and Embodiment – as a foundation for a practical philosophy and intentional way of life. Practices include: body scan meditation, mindful speaking and listening, focused and open awareness meditation, contemplation of a sacred text, invoking the spirit of a philosophically meaningful text, practices evoking a felt sense of “moreness” or “suchness”, other authentic relating groupwork and a creative self‑expression and self‑exploration practice. **No prior experience is needed** – just curiosity and a willingness to explore. **Duration:** 6.5hrs (with breaks) ### About your Facilitators **Rick Repetti, PhD. -** Professor of Philosophy & VP of APPA Rick’s list of credentials could justify it’s own page. Relative to this workshop, he’s a Philosophical Consultant, and Socratic Dialogue facilitator, faculty member of the Philosophical Practitioners Association of India, meditation instructor here at ATM, founding member of the CUNY Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies group, multiple decades practitioner and instructor of meditation and yoga, and 4th degree black belt in Shotokan Karate. He’s also written things, many things, such as *Buddhism, Meditation and Free Will: A Theory of Mental Freedom* (Routledge 2019) **Taylor Barratt -** Director at Awaken to Meaning, Integral Facilitator As Director of Practice and Education with Awaken to Meaning, Taylor brings over 13 years of experience in facilitation, design, and training. Along with John, he has been a robust voice of guidance in the design and pedagogical execution of TIAMAT. He’s a certified Integral Facilitator and has co-designed the Socratic Search Space, Socratic Imaginal Self-Reflection as well as the pedagogical structures for Dialectic-into Dialogos **Facilitation:** Rick Repetti & Taylor Barratt

The TAICO team is happy to announce our next meetup at the Adaptavist office in Toronto. Much thanks to [Adaptavist](https://www.adaptavist.com/) for hosting! **Wayfinding: How to Get to the Event** * *Please be careful when using maps features on phones, some people have been redirected to a completely wrong address. The event is near Winners on Front St, which is just south, across the street, from Berczy Park (where the dog fountain is) so if you are not near that area, you are in the wrong place.* **Registration and Event Details** Our goal is to bring artificial intelligence and cybersecurity together. To do that, we need to explore what's happening in AI and what's happening in cybersecurity, and where the two intersect and collide. We're also working to understand how we solve problems in these areas, what that looks like, and how Canada can and will participate. With that in mind, we're pleased to announce our speakers and the agenda for our next meeting! **Sponsors** And thanks to our host, [Adaptavist](https://www.adaptavist.com/)! **Notes** * *Unfortunately, we won't have pizza at this meetup due to a gap in sponsorship. We're actively working on securing sponsors for future events.* **Agenda** **Doors Open: 5:30PM** **Event Start: 6:00PM** * 👋 **Welcome and introductions** * 🙏 **Thank you to our amazing hosts and sponsors!** 🎉 * 🎙️ **Speakers** 🎤 **Speaker #1: Dmitrii Strizhkov** ***Subject: Penetration Testing Automation with MCP*** ***Abstract:*** *This presentation talks about my journey as the penetration testing practice lead, covering how I was able to increase efficiency and speed up the execution of my team's projects. I will discuss what MCP is, introduce how it can help in reconnaissance and enumeration phases, and analyze the results. I will also demo a solution that everyone can implement using the n8n low-code platform. Additionally, I will discuss and show why agents can help us, pentesters, in writing the reports (do the boring and tedious stuff). In the end, I will delve into why several precautionary measures should be undertaken before sending sensitive client data to commercial LLMs and suggest several solutions based on my experience. And as the final point, I would want to encourage my colleagues to experiment with and implement their own MCP-based solutions to speed up and make their engagements more effective.* *About Dmitrii:* *Dmitrii is the head of offensive security/penetration testing and practice lead at Parabellyx Cybersecurity.* 🎤 **Speaker #2: David Ahmann** ***Title: Stop Is Not a Safety Control: What AI Agent Security Looks Like at the Runtime Boundary*** **Abstract:** *A lot of AI security discussion still focuses on prompts, policies, and tool declarations. Our research at ([CAISI](https://caisi.dev/)) has been looking at the harder question: what actually changes at execution time when an agent is told to stop, requires approval, or reaches a risky tool boundary? I’d share a practical, evidence-based talk on where AI agent control really holds or fails, drawing from our OpenClaw case-study work and our public research on agent governance, evidence posture, and approval gaps. The goal would be a practitioner-focused session for security leaders, builders, and evaluators trying to separate demo confidence from real control.* **⚡ Lightning Talks and Demos** Lightning Talks - 5 to 15 minutes long 1. Curtis Collicutt - A demo of a new programming language: [Vary](https://varylang.com) \- A typed language design to find "lies" in generated code 2. Janhavi Doshi - "Data, LLMs and the Law - What Every Builder in Canada Needs to Know Right Now" 3. **You? - Please reach out if you'd like to do a lightning talk or demo - anyone is welcome to demo something they are working one** Please reach out to us if you'd like to present at the meetup. We are looking for people to talk about what they are working on, what they are building and learning, and are open to any level of experience and technical depth. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, we want to hear from you! We're all just out here building and learning. 👋 **See You There!** Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you at the meetup!

We're back with another pub night! Join us for a pint, a bite, and much writerly debate. We'll be at our usual haunt: The Bishop and Belcher near Bloor and Church. Hope to see you then!

This month's prompt concerns the idea of the “warrior philosopher” (seemed appropriate in these times)--that is someone whose understanding of violence, power, and justice is forged through direct experience of war. We are looking at Major General Smedley D. Butler, a highly decorated U.S. Marine raised in a Quaker (pacifist) tradition who later became a prominent critic of American militarism (there is a wonderful biography of Gen. Butler called "Gangsters of Capitalism") Butler's argument in *War Is a Racket* (1935): that many U.S. interventions were driven less by national defense than by corporate and financial interests, with Butler portraying himself as an enforcer for business and Wall Street. We can consider the moral ambiguity of his insider critique—whether complicity strengthens or undermines credibility and also consider some of the concrete reforms he proposed (e.g., “conscript” capital before soldiers, restrict the military to coastal defense, and have only those who fight decide on war). Butler’s life arc clearly changed from pacifist upbringing to warrior to antiwar crusader—and asks whether true understanding of peace requires firsthand knowledge of war, and what that implies about the cost of suffering. So do we need to suffer to understand suffering? Do we have to experience war to appreciate peace? As one more question: in the movie "A Few Good Men" Jack Nicholson's character says that "you have the luxury of not knowing what I know" so do most of us go through life oblivious to real violence and suffering? See you at Drunken Philosophy!

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

***LOVE SOUP?*** Souper Heroes is back! Folks donate homemade soups and we get to sample and vote on our favorite! Now, put a donation in the collection (or Venmo). Suggested donation to local food pantry: $5+ (depending on how many samples you enjoy) ### April 23: “Spring Fling” As spring starts to bloom, Souper Heroes will embrace fresh, vibrant flavors with the “Spring Fling” event in April. This is your chance to dive into the season with soups that are as colorful and lively as spring itself. Bold ingredients, bright flavors, and a touch of creativity will make this event the perfect celebration of renewal and growth. ### How It Works **Soup Makers:** Bring your A-game (and your pre-heated slow cooker) filled with your best soup. You’ll be serving samples to attendees who are ready to fall in love with your creation. Registration is open now! **Soup Eaters:** For a small donation (cash or Venmo), you can taste up to 15 soups and vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice Award. The host location will supply all the essentials: extension cords, soup cups, spoons, napkins, and even cup carriers. *Plus, bread and beverages will be on hand to round out the experience.* [Seventh Son](https://www.seventhsonbrewing.com/) brings delicious beer to the city and state that we love—Columbus, Ohio—and offers a unique taproom space to enjoy with our friends and neighbors. Food trucks, live plants, good music, excellent people, award-winning beers, and cocktails.

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. 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.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)