About this Event
Pittsburgh's Most Inclusive AI Community
Every month, we bring together the full spectrum of AI builders, from first-time prompt writers to enterprise architects. This isn't just another tech meetup. It's where diverse experience levels come together, share real solutions, and tackle practical challenges collaboratively.
Our mission: Bridge the gap between AI experts and everyday users through hands-on learning and genuine community.
What Makes Us Different
We focus on implementation, not inspiration.
- Real business problems, not hypothetical scenarios
- Working solutions, not theoretical possibilities
- Practitioners sharing what actually works in production
- Problem-solvers connecting with those who have problems to solve
Perfect match if you're: Building AI solutions professionally, facing specific implementation challenges, or have expertise to contribute to real-world problems
What to Expect Each Month
Hands-On Activities
- Interactive AI tool exploration
- Group problem-solving sessions
- Mini-hackathons and build challenges
- Skill-sharing workshops
Expert Insights
- Guest presentations from local AI practitioners
- Case studies from Pittsburgh companies
- Ethical AI implementation discussions
- Industry trend analysis
Community Connection
- Structured networking time
- Peer-to-peer learning opportunities
- Collaboration on ongoing projects
- Support for AI implementation challenges
Recent Event Highlights
- 45-Minute Hackathons: Community builds real solutions together (Coming up on Oct. 8th)
- AI Professional Debates: Structured discussions on critical topics
- Tool Deep Dives: Hands-on exploration of cutting-edge AI platforms
- Expert Presentations: Industry leaders sharing practical insights
Featured speakers have included: Dr. Rorry Brenner (advanced neural networks), Eddie Hartman (AI strategy), and Deepika Devarajan from Mathews International.
Why Join Our Community?
- Learn by doing - not just listening to presentations
- Connect with Pittsburgh's most collaborative AI builders
- Access practical solutions you can implement immediately
- Contribute your perspective regardless of experience level
- Stay current on AI trends affecting local businesses
- Build lasting relationships with fellow practitioners
Event Details
When: 2nd Wednesday of every month, 5:30-7:00 PM (Except April 2026 Event Moved to April 29th)
Where: Pittsburgh Tech Council & Fortyx80
Cost: Always free - our commitment to accessible AI education
Size: Intentionally limited to 20-30 people for meaningful interaction
What to bring: Your laptop and whatever AI curiosity/experience you have
Join Pittsburgh's AI Building Community
Whether you've been following AI developments from the sidelines or you're actively implementing solutions, this is your place to connect with others on the same journey.
Reserve your spot for our next meetup - spaces fill up quickly due to our intimate format.
About Steel City AI Innovators
Founded to create Pittsburgh's most inclusive space for AI learning and collaboration. Proudly sponsored by Pittsburgh Tech Council, we've built a community where practical AI implementation meets genuine knowledge sharing.
Questions? Connect with organizers through the event page or join us at our next monthly gathering.
Upcoming Meeting Notes:
Building AI Governance: A Practical Story Told Through LEGO
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 5:30–7:30 PM
Pittsburgh Technology Council & Fortyx80, 100 South Commons #172
AI use inside most organizations is growing faster than anyone's ability to see it. Governance is often treated as the brake. This session makes the opposite case: good governance is what lets people build with confidence.
Using LEGO as a running metaphor, we'll follow three companies:
- Company A runs on experimentation with no shared visibility or ownership.
- Company B is putting its first guardrails in place: approved tools, data rules, and a way to raise questions.
- Company C has governance built into how AI work is proposed, approved, monitored, and improved.
We'll finish with a look at what's coming next as AI agents take on more autonomy, followed by a group discussion on practical first steps for your own organization.
Who should come: Anyone working with or around AI, from business leaders to technical folks. No experience required, no laptop needed.
What you'll leave with: A simple way to assess where your organization stands, and one concrete guardrail you can put in place.
Always free. Real problems, real solutions.
Upcoming Speakers:
Nov.- Mike Carpenter, General Manager of Customer Software at Open Arc
Dec.- Manas Verma
Jan.- Chase Baker
Have a topic you're interested in presenting? Reach out to Doogie at [email protected].
Agenda
🕑: 05:30 PM - 05:50 PM
Connection
🕑: 05:50 PM - 06:00 PM
Group Updates and Need to Knows
🕑: 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
The Bulk of It
Info: Examples: Speaker, small groups, panels, real use cases, problem solving.
Event venue & nearby stays
Pittsburgh Technology Council, 100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, United States
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