#LATechWeek Recap and AI LA Leadership Search

How is that social hangover treating you? Todd makes a big announcement.

Hey AI LA Community,

We are excited to have a respite for the rest of October as #LATechWeek was fire! See some of our recaps below. Plus?! Huge news in Responsible AI circles… AND? Our own Todd Terrazas moving into the Chief Community Officer?!

Please help us with our search by engaging with this Linkedin post.

Some of you might remember when AI LA was called the LA Chatbot Meetup (2016-2018) — just a few people curious about how technology could make a positive impact. What started as a local gathering has grown into one of the largest and most respected AI communities in the country, with almost 30,000 members!

Today, AI LA is helping position Los Angeles as a Responsible AI Hub — something even the Brookings Institution recognized when they named LA one of America’s Star Hubs for AI innovation.

We’ve hosted hundreds of events over the year, from the Earth Summit, focused on sustainability and climate, to the Life Summit, spotlighting healthcare and life science innovations. Our Responsible AI Symposium brings together thought leaders and policymakers to shape the ethical use of emerging technology, and AI on the Lot connects Hollywood with the future of generative media and storytelling.

Our IDEAS Career Accelerator is creating real impact, with our latest cohorts achieving a 100% graduation rate — helping people across Los Angeles build meaningful careers in AI and the future workforce.

But as AI LA continues to grow in both size and scope, I believe it’s time to bring in a new Executive Director — someone with deep experience in fundraising, team management, and nonprofit growth to help take us to the next level.

Now, don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll continue to serve as our Chief Community Officer, focusing on what I love most: building community, partnerships, and new ideas that keep LA at the forefront of responsible AI innovation.

What we started nine years ago is really just the beginning, and I can’t wait to work with all of you, and our new Executive Director, to take AI LA to even greater heights.

If you are interested in this role, please fill out the form below and record a video expressing your why. I look forward to reviewing your applications and seeing you at our next AI LA event. Thank you!  - Todd Terrazas

#LATechWeek Recaps

AI LA Salon w/ PostHog

Raquel Smith and Peter Kirkham from the PostHog team shared six key insights from their journey integrating AI across their open-source analytics platform - covering what worked, what didn’t, and how they turned early missteps into product improvements that now power thousands of teams. Attendees got an inside look at how PostHog blends experimentation, data, and product thinking to make AI genuinely useful.

AI, Innovation & Oktoberfest

We brought the spirit of NRW - Germany’s industrial and innovation powerhouse - to Venice for an evening full of meaningful conversations, new connections, and forward-thinking ideas. The event kicked off with welcoming remarks from Andrea Sasse, Consul General of Germany in Los Angeles, followed by a deep dive into NRW’s AI and innovation ecosystem with Michael Kordus and Christian Temath.

Everyone enjoyed German beer, pretzels, brats and sausages, streusel and… some McConnell’s ice cream!

We gathered from all over LA to talk about the important ecosystem on the local level, regional and then international. What an amazing lineup we heard from: the minds shaping the future of AI and innovation and scaling businesses through global alliances. Brandon Hoffman, Eric Eide, Todd Terrazas, Omari Sealey, Yasmin Abdi, Ade Adesanya, Othmane R., Taylor Shead, Kabir Gill, Philo Juang, Sarah Asmaro, Giacomo Santucci, Dion Ridley, Manny Ojobaro, Dmitry Shapiro, Matt T., Grace Park, James Cummings, and more.

Upcoming AI Innovation Events

AI LA x WDAI
Women Vibecode Gathering: Get on the Bus!

Saturday, November 8th: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Venice

AI is reshaping tech roles, yet knowing where to start can be the biggest challenge. This event meets you where you are! Get some coffee and a pastry, open your laptop and start vibecoding with the support of other women in tech. Come for the mentorship and structure. Bring your experience and curiosity. We have limited seats, so get on the bus!

AI LA Salon w/ Voker AI

Tuesday, November 18th: 6:00 - 9:00 PM | Marina del Rey

Voker is the leading AI development platform for product engineering teams building intelligent software. Customers leverage Voker’s proprietary engine and collaborative platform to build, test and ship AI agents and features that are fully hosted on Voker’s SOTA infrastructure.

Free Happy Hours and Meetups

GenAI Meetup

Monday, November 10th: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Pasadena

​Join us for a casual evening AI meetup in the heart of Pasadena! This friendly get-together is the perfect opportunity for GenAI experts, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and newcomers alike to connect and share insights in an informal setting.

Save the Date! AI PolicyMeetup

Wednesday, November 19th: 6:00 - 8:00 PM | MidCity

Join us for an AI Policy Mixer in the heart of Miracle Mile! This event brings together professionals and enthusiasts from AI, policy, and technology to exchange ideas and explore emerging trends. Whether you’re a policymaker, technologist, researcher, or simply curious about the future of AI, all are welcome to join the conversation.

AI LA Members-Only Benefits

Please email [email protected] for the discount codes to each of these events.

Featured Partner Event - $15 off 
“anthropology” by Lauren Gunderson

Playing until Nov. 9th at Rogue Machine Theatre on Melrose

To find closure after losing her sister, Merril, a gifted programer, builds an AI to retrace her sister’s last moments. What she finds in this high-stakes thriller raises questions about living with grief and the lengths we can go to in order to bring back human connection in the digital age.

directed by John Perrin Flynn
starring Alexandra Hellquist, Kaylee Kaneshiro, Nan McNamara and Julia Manis

Please email [email protected] for the discount code.

Saturday, November 8th: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Long Beach

DataCon is excited to bring together data professionals, enthusiasts, and industry leaders for another day of knowledge-sharing, networking, and growth. At Cal State Long Beach, attendees have four tracks to choose from:

  • AI/ML & Data Science

  • Data Engineering

  • Business Analytics & Reporting

  • Data Career Development (new this year!)

Morning keynotes, lunch included, afternoon sessions, and a closing mixer - it's a full day with the SoCal data community. Don't forget to opt into Match & Mingle during registration if you want to connect one-on-one with another attendee.

Please email [email protected] for the discount code.

Join AI LA+ and save $400+ on events

Attend just 6 events per year and the membership pays for itself. Plus free workshops, mixers and exclusive content will be yours!

Not a member yet? Join our community to unlock this offer and gain access to a full year of events, networking, and opportunities.

These incredible events are made possible thanks to our AI LA+ members, whose support has fueled our growth. Want to help shape the future of AI LA while enjoying exclusive perks? Consider joining AI LA+ and growing with us!