The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) is putting on a three-day extravaganza of tech-focused programming to both build its pipeline of talent and raise money for a couple of good causes.
TechAid features three events:
- Oct. 20: Reverse Expo: A collaboration with the department of computing science at the University of Alberta in which students present their research in poster sessions;
- Oct. 21: TechTalks: A chance to hear from Amii's researchers about the power of AI and machine learning;
- Oct. 22: DevCon: A student developer conference featuring opportunities to learn about AI, gaming, design, and career planning.
It's kind of like a charity run, without the sweat. Admission is free, but participants are encouraged to donate to two local causes: the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region's Period Promise initiative and Boyle Street Community Services.
"We wanted to have the opportunity to give back to a great community that's been very supportive of us for a long time," Amii CEO Cam Linke told Episode 33 of Bloom. "If you look at a lot of people in technology, they're often a little bit utopian and want to be able to help give back and be able to realize that utopia."
In-person tickets are sold out for the Reverse Expo and TechTalks, but you can still register for the virtual version of TechTalks, and applications to DevCon are open until Oct. 13. Donations will be collected until the end of the month.
The event comes on the heels of a successful AI Week in May, which saw more than 500 people attend on talent bursaries and more than 2,100 at dozens of events.
"It blew away our expectations, and this is something we're going to be running every year now and having as an ongoing thing to gather that community here together every year," Linke said.
TechAid happens during Edmonton Startup Week. Learn more about Amii's plans as well as the companies coming to Launch Party 13 in the Oct. 13 episode of Taproot's podcast about innovation in Edmonton.
Photo: Cam Linke sits in the front row (third from the right) of an event at AI Week. (Facebook)