When AI begins to feel uncanny, dangerous, or too powerful to contain, our cultural imagination reaches quickly for Frankenstein.

The comparison is everywhere in the current news cycle: a creation escapes its maker, technology accelerates beyond human control, and the world discovers too late that it has built something it cannot govern. The fear is not foolish. AI is moving rapidly into the systems that shape work, education, media, public services, and democratic life.

But Frankenstein offers a more interesting warning than the one we usually tell. Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel was shaped by fascination with galvanism, the early electrical experiments that made dead muscle appear to twitch. Its central horror is not simply that Victor Frankenstein creates something powerful. It is that he creates it and then abandons responsibility for what follows.

In This Is Not a Talk About AI, digital anthropologist Ali Maaxa, Ph.D. asks what changes when we stop treating AI as an alien force with a destiny of its own and start recognizing it as a human-built infrastructure. A system does not simply “take over.” It receives power through human decisions: whose data it uses, who funds it, what it is allowed to access, which institutions treat its outputs as legitimate, whose labor maintains it, and whether people can challenge its decisions.

The story begins long before AI.

Neanderthals made birch-bark tar with controlled fire to bind stone tools to handles and hunting shafts. The Gutenberg Bible made authoritative texts reproducible at unprecedented scale and turned interpretation into a public struggle. Electricity extended the human day and television reorganized public attention. The internet promised open connection before becoming an infrastructure of platforms, surveillance, ranking, and concentrated control.

Each technology changed not only what people could do, but what became normal. Each produced new anxieties, new gatekeepers, new forms of dependence, and new struggles over who should set the rules.

AI belongs in that longer history. It is not “just like” fire, print, or electricity. It is faster, more networked, more opaque, and increasingly able to generate language, classify people, and act through connected systems. It also has a body: chips, data centers, electricity, water, land, extraction, invisible labor, public subsidies, and communities asked to absorb costs that rarely appear in a product demo.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Maaxa has studied how people around the world encounter, repurpose, resist, innovate with, and make meaning around emerging technologies. As a researcher funded by Mellon, Peacock, REACH, Wilgus, and NEH, an author of books and articles, and a professor at UNC, Duke, William & Mary, Virigina Tech, PSU & Pierce, she has produced leading work on global digital cultures. A leader in AI innovation and incubation, she has spent the past decade working across New Relic AI, AWS AI, Meta AI, startups, and accelerators, bringing new technologies into public and professional life while advocating for responsible, accessible, deeply ethical use.

This is neither an AI sales pitch nor an apocalypse sermon. It is a lively intervention into an overblown public conversation.

It asks:

• What is AI actually doing now?

• Which human relationships, forms of labor, judgments, and institutions is it rearranging?

• Who gets to build and govern it?

• Who pays for its infrastructure?

• Who can inspect, interrupt, challenge, or repair what it does?

The answer is not to pretend risk has disappeared. It is to recover agency as a shared public practice.

A technology is not the same thing as a culture of use.

The question is not only what AI can do. It is what kind of public we are becoming while we learn to live with it.

Learn more, book me for a keynote or interview, or get involved: https://notanai.site

Summary:

Clinton will talk about how he setup a $25 Walmart TV box as a VPN gateway, to share IP-Locked streaming services with a friend or relative, using official apps from the Google Play store, and Developer mode ADB settings. It's fun to play with these boxes, to see what they can do besides stream TV.

Bio:

Clinton spent 40 years working in system administration and customer tech support, for Tektronix and Siemens, working with systems from ancient Vax VMS to modern day Linux etc. He is a VI editor user and doesn't know EMACS :) In the 90's he produced an award winning public access TV show (The Chess Show) still occasionally replayed on Portland Cable for the handful of remaining Cable TV subscribers. Now retired after almost 3 years, all that tech stuff is getting kind of fuzzy, and he mostly just tinkers with Linux and streaming his home video library (when not doing household chores and maintenance).

Thanks to Roseline Coffee for providing a physical location! Find inside the hotel and to the right, likely on the couches

Coffee, bagels and people working on their careers and code! We have 2-5 mentors every month ready to help people get started in the industry, get help with a particular problem, or get career advice. We offer resume reviews, portfolio reviews, and sometimes mock interviews (time permitting).

Online Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YTljOWRlMDAtNThmZS00NzljLWE1YTEtZDhlODMyYzI0OTRi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2282ea9e81-6f10-49e0-a1f1-d75b0b4c2e7c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22143ee9d3-21a4-4da7-a1e8-2472c358110e%22%7d

Or call in (audio only)

+1 872-240-8681,,882162595# United States, Chicago

Phone Conference ID: 882 162 595#

Thanks to Capital One Café for providing a physical location!

Discord https://discord.gg/nSCxgbcG7U

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Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session: drink your beverage of choice, bring your laptop, and hang out with your peers! Have engaging conversations, or focus on work or projects. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work.

---- Schedule ----

You're welcome to drop in anytime during the event. We understand that everyone may have external commitments and challenges - join us when you can!

We have informal unscheduled introductions - practice your personal elevator pitch, or take things slower to build your confidence.

---- Venue ----

Fly Chai allow us to informally and freely use their space. If within your budget, we'd appreciate your help to sustain our use of the venue, by purchasing something tasty, whether Chai or otherwise.

Find us at tables with a Code&Coffee sign - or a clump of laptop-users!

Wifi and power outlets are available. Our meeting area should be accessible - please let us know if not.

---- What to expect ----

Smaller events than you may be used to, with a mixed crowd week-to-week. We expect this is likely due to us meeting weekly, at a less central location.

These may result in what you're looking for:

A smaller, less intimidating, lower pressure, cozy atmosphere.
A mix of regular and new faces.
A simpler schedule - every week, same time, same place - that you can drop into when you like.
Being closer to you than other events.

Whether those are generally or partly to your liking, we hope you'll consider dropping by sometime!

---- Getting to the venue ----

Look for the venue on the meetup Google map, or alternatives like OpenStreetMap.

-- Driving --

There are limited parking spaces on a lot outside the venue (4+1 accessible), with more in the surrounding area.

-- Transit options --

Beaverton Central (Red/Blue MAX), then walk~ 8 minutes

Beaverton Transit Center (Red/Blue MAX, bus, WES) then walk ~11 minutes

For a shorter walk to the venue, take a bus from Beaverton Transit Center (52 to Farmington/Hall, 76 to Watson/Broadway, 57 to Canyon/Watson)

​Better Futures Club is a weekly event (alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays) focused on imagining and making better futures.

Imagine an artist community, a think tank, and a research center in the same building. People in all of those fields working alongside each other imagining and creating different futures together. Cross pollination and inspiration. Liberal Arts and STEM and R&D. Photographers, physicists, authors, astronomers, musicians, makers, mathematicians, designers, developers, fashionistas, climatologists and all manner of imaginative optimists.

All Better Futures Club events are covered by the Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct (https://www.contributor-covenant.org)

Celebrate National Digital Inclusion Week at Multnomah County Library!

Join a gathering of community members and digital inclusion practitioners to discuss interests, needs, and concerns related to technology literacy/education, internet connectivity, and device access. At the event you'll be able to choose from suggested discussion topics or submit your own ideas. Envision the programs, resources, and connections needed to build a future where emerging technologies bridge gaps in access.

Assistive Tech User Research

Join us as Cindy Merrill shares her work making technology more accessible to people with disabilities. Cindy conducts remote moderated research with people who use assistive technology, including screen readers and screen magnifiers. In this presentation, she'll discuss real-world insights from her research and share proven best practices for planning and conducting effective user research with people who rely on these essential tools.

This event is co-hosted by CHIFOO (pronounced ‘ky – FOO’), the Computer Human Interaction Forum of Oregon, and PDX A11Y UX, the Portland Accessibility & UX Meetup.

Bio

Cindy Merrill is a Lead UX Researcher at Pluribus Digital, a consulting firm specializing in modern digital experiences for the federal government. With more than 20 years of experience in user research across government and industry, she is passionate about making technology more accessible and easier to use. She has conducted numerous research studies on websites, consumer products, and automotive systems while working at Intel, Jaguar Land Rover, Cvent, and various consulting firms.

Event is in person and online

We are in person at the Multnomah County Central Library (Large Community Room 1A) and online via Zoom for remote participation (Zoom link will be posted a few days before event). Introduction starts at 6:00 pm, and we need to leave the room by 7:45pm.

Accommodation requests

If you have any accommodation requests, don’t hesitate to contact us before the event to discuss.

Get Investor Ready

​Raising capital is about more than your deck or your traction. It’s about how you show up in the room. Join Clarence Bethea for a five-hour, hands-on workshop designed to help founders master the room, the pitch, and the psychology of fundraising.

​You’ll learn how to:

​* Craft a pitch that resonates

• Understand how investors evaluate you

• Communicate with confidence

• Navigate tough questions and feedback

• Master the psychology of fundraising

​Clarence brings both sides of the table. His experience raising $30M+ as a founder and his perspective as an investor evaluating hundreds of startups.

​As one founder from a previous workshop put it:

​“It feels like I walked away with weeks’ worth of knowledge and immense value.” — Vladimir Gurkot

​Expect real-world examples, hands-on exercises, candid conversations, and actionable feedback you can put to work immediately.

​You’ll leave with: A sharper pitch. Greater confidence. A better understanding of investors. And a clearer path to becoming investor ready.

​Your registration includes:

​* 5-hour live workshop

• Dinner

• ​Lifetime access to the What VCs Won’t Say course ($399 value)

​Only 50 seats available

​👉 Reserve your seat now https://luma.com/workshopor

​By registering for this event, you consent to What VCs Won’t Say sharing your name and email address with the event’s Lead Sponsors. You may unsubscribe from future marketing communications at any time.

Monthly community campaign meeting to coordinate actions toward building a public broadband option in the City of Portland. Open to all. This meeting is open to everyone interested in campaigning for a public broadband option for the City of Portland! Bringing community-owned internet infrastructure to Portland is a community effort! We need your help! No technical skills necessary.

This is a recurring community meeting happening every 2nd Thursday of the month.

We are gathering in the CETI Lab located on the 4th floor at 111 SW Columbia Street in downtown Portland. The Lab is easily acessible by public transporation. There is parking in the building garage on the 4th floor for $5.

Thank you to the CETI Institute for hosting Community Broadband PDX monthly meetings!

RSVP

Community Room 1A

Join us and surf the web together in person! The Good Web never went away and it's better than ever. We find weird stuff, play games, make our own pages, follow mysterious web rings and generally have a blast.

Pop in for 20 minutes or an hour. No computer necessary.

Looking for something different to do on a Sunday afternoon?

PNSQC Innovation Day is a free community event for anyone curious about technology and how it is changing the world around us.

Students, families, educators, and technology professionals.

Come see commercial robots, augmented and virtual reality, rockets, exoskeletons, student projects, and more. Attend practical conversations about AI, meet the people working with these technologies, ask questions, and experience some of the technology firsthand.

You do not need a technical background. You only need to be curious.

RSVP https://pnsqc.org/innovation-day/

Please share this with anyone who might enjoy an afternoon of technology, exploration, and new ideas.

The PNSQC Innovation Day brings students, educators, parents, and community members together to explore emerging technologies through student projects, robotics demonstrations, and educational seminars. By combining student innovation with community learning, the event creates an environment where attendees can interact with each other on topics such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and other technologies shaping our future. Innovation Day will be held the Sunday October 11th, immediately preceding the PNSQC Software Quality conference.

The 44th Pacific Northwest Software Quality Conference will be held October 12-14, 2026. The conference theme is "Quality in the Age of Autonomy." Quality is relevant to design, manufacturing, code, applications, user experience, writing/prose, and many other areas that may not be obvious.

Keynotes include Maaret Pyhäjärvi from Finland, Jonathon Wright from England, and over 50 more presenters.

Talks include "Inside Tesla: The Birth of the Software-Defined Vehicle and Quality in the Age of Autonomy", "The Quality Nervous System", and many presentations about the impact of AI on software quality as well as more traditional quality aspects.

PNSQC 2026 is both an in-person and online event, even offering a FREE virtual track to watch our keynotes and invited speakers.

Check it out online at: https://pnsqc.org/register

Tracks Include - Quality Engineering (Process & Methods, Tools & Technologies) - Management, Leadership, People & Enterprise IT Quality - AI and Emerging Technologies

Our industry learns from working with education, healthcare, manufacturing, government sectors, and more. What can those other industries learn from us? Come and find out at PNSQC 2026.

Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session: drink your beverage of choice, bring your laptop, and hang out with your peers! Have engaging conversations, or focus on work or projects. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work.

---- Schedule ----

You're welcome to drop in anytime during the event. We understand that everyone may have external commitments and challenges - join us when you can!

We have informal unscheduled introductions - practice your personal elevator pitch, or take things slower to build your confidence.

---- Venue ----

Fly Chai allow us to informally and freely use their space. If within your budget, we'd appreciate your help to sustain our use of the venue, by purchasing something tasty, whether Chai or otherwise.

Find us at tables with a Code&Coffee sign - or a clump of laptop-users!

Wifi and power outlets are available. Our meeting area should be accessible - please let us know if not.

---- What to expect ----

Smaller events than you may be used to, with a mixed crowd week-to-week. We expect this is likely due to us meeting weekly, at a less central location.

These may result in what you're looking for:

A smaller, less intimidating, lower pressure, cozy atmosphere.
A mix of regular and new faces.
A simpler schedule - every week, same time, same place - that you can drop into when you like.
Being closer to you than other events.

Whether those are generally or partly to your liking, we hope you'll consider dropping by sometime!

---- Getting to the venue ----

Look for the venue on the meetup Google map, or alternatives like OpenStreetMap.

-- Driving --

There are limited parking spaces on a lot outside the venue (4+1 accessible), with more in the surrounding area.

-- Transit options --

Beaverton Central (Red/Blue MAX), then walk~ 8 minutes

Beaverton Transit Center (Red/Blue MAX, bus, WES) then walk ~11 minutes

For a shorter walk to the venue, take a bus from Beaverton Transit Center (52 to Farmington/Hall, 76 to Watson/Broadway, 57 to Canyon/Watson)

Get up-to-date information at: https://luma.com/3e2o26k9

Address: Hawthorne Asylum Food Cart Pod Portland, Oregon United States

Hosted by Erin M Miles Rasmussen

Note: Your RSVP is required in order to attend this event.

Let’s get together for an informal BEAM PDX hangout: coffee, conversation, and light co-working.

This is a low-key monthly meetup for folks working with Elixir, Erlang, Gleam, and other BEAM languages, aimed at reconnecting the local community and rebuilding momentum after a long quiet stretch. We'll holding this on the second Thursday of each month.

There will be opportunities to:

• Ask questions about Elixir and other BEAM languages

• Share what you’ve been working on (or stuck on)

• Get help with programming or design problems

• Co-work: get things done with like-minded folks nearby

Brainstorm ideas for future talk-based meetups and identify potential speakers

Bring your laptop if you’d like. It's totally optional.

New to BEAM languages, or just curious? You’re very welcome.

Please RSVP so we know roughly how many people to expect. If your plans change, un-RSVP when you can.

This meetup is also part of our transition away from Meetup to a new home for the group, where we’ll be organizing future events.

Join us for this year’s Accelerate Biotech Networking Lunch at Bend Venture Conference. We’ll gather at Willamette Valley Vineyards in Bend, just steps from the Tower Theater and perfectly timed between BVC programming.

Connect Oregon’s biotech community. Build relationships that last beyond BVC.

This lunchtime gathering brings together bio entrepreneurs, ecosystem supporters, and stakeholders from across Oregon in a relaxed setting for meaningful conversations and connections.

Meet innovators and industry leaders working across biotech, digital health, and health innovation while helping build a stronger, more connected bioscience ecosystem across Oregon.

Lunch will be provided, with options available to accommodate dietary needs. Doors open at 11:30 AM.

This event is made possible through the generous support of Tonkon Torp.

Techworks Northwest is coming to Southwest Washington, and we’d love to meet you!

For years, we’ve helped Oregon technology companies grow by connecting them with valuable employee benefits, trusted business partners, practical resources, and a strong community of technology leaders. Now, Southwest Washington companies can access those same benefits and resources.

Join us for Across the River, a relaxed evening for founders, executives, and HR and operations leaders in the Southwest Washington technology community. Enjoy great food and drinks and learn how Techworks Northwest can help your company save money, support its employees, and grow more effectively.

You’ll also have the opportunity to explore our group health plan and other essential business services that Techworks offers.

There’s no formal panel or lengthy presentation—just good conversation, valuable connections, and helpful resources for your company.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Roseline Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Roseline Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session: drink your beverage of choice, bring your laptop, and hang out with your peers! Have engaging conversations, or focus on work or projects. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work.

---- Schedule ----

You're welcome to drop in anytime during the event. We understand that everyone may have external commitments and challenges - join us when you can!

We have informal unscheduled introductions - practice your personal elevator pitch, or take things slower to build your confidence.

---- Venue ----

Fly Chai allow us to informally and freely use their space. If within your budget, we'd appreciate your help to sustain our use of the venue, by purchasing something tasty, whether Chai or otherwise.

Find us at tables with a Code&Coffee sign - or a clump of laptop-users!

Wifi and power outlets are available. Our meeting area should be accessible - please let us know if not.

---- What to expect ----

Smaller events than you may be used to, with a mixed crowd week-to-week. We expect this is likely due to us meeting weekly, at a less central location.

These may result in what you're looking for:

A smaller, less intimidating, lower pressure, cozy atmosphere.
A mix of regular and new faces.
A simpler schedule - every week, same time, same place - that you can drop into when you like.
Being closer to you than other events.

Whether those are generally or partly to your liking, we hope you'll consider dropping by sometime!

---- Getting to the venue ----

Look for the venue on the meetup Google map, or alternatives like OpenStreetMap.

-- Driving --

There are limited parking spaces on a lot outside the venue (4+1 accessible), with more in the surrounding area.

-- Transit options --

Beaverton Central (Red/Blue MAX), then walk~ 8 minutes

Beaverton Transit Center (Red/Blue MAX, bus, WES) then walk ~11 minutes

For a shorter walk to the venue, take a bus from Beaverton Transit Center (52 to Farmington/Hall, 76 to Watson/Broadway, 57 to Canyon/Watson)

Two halves tonight.

FIRST: show us what you did. Last month we went through nine ways to work with coding agents. Some of you went home and tried them. Bring what happened — the memory file that changed your week, the prompt that finally worked, the agent that confidently destroyed something. Wins and disasters are equally welcome; the disasters usually teach more. Five minutes each, laptop optional, no slides required.

THEN: everything that isn't text. We've spent two meetings on language models. Meanwhile image, video, music, and voice generation have quietly become genuinely good — and a surprising amount of it now runs on the laptop in front of you, with nothing leaving the machine.

We'll walk the current landscape honestly: what's actually worth using in October 2026, what got discontinued this year, and where each one still falls apart. Then we'll split the field the way that matters for a working developer — what you call an API for, versus what you can run yourself.

And we'll generate something live. On a laptop. Offline.

You'll leave knowing which model to reach for per modality, what your own hardware can run, how to set it up, and the three questions that decide hosted-versus-local for any of them.

Come curious. Beginners and veterans welcome.

SPEAKER Matt Duffield is President & CTO of Summit Software with 30+ years building enterprise software. A published author of six technical books and U.S. Navy veteran, he focuses on AI-assisted development, local LLMs, and cloud-native architecture.

EVENT DETAILS Food, drinks, and conversation beginning at 7:00. Show & tell at 7:30. Main talk around 8:00. Parking is free at the Gladstone Park SDA church.

Curious about AI? Already using it but hitting roadblocks? Drop in for AI Office Hours - a casual, no‑pressure way to get expert insight on your questions. For 2 hours, I’ll be available to talk through whatever’s on your mind: strategy, tools, implementation, or just “where do I even start?” Come for the whole time or pop in when you can.

What to Expect:

• Open conversation: no slides, no sales pitch.
• Small‑group or one‑on‑one discussions: get your questions answered.

When & Where:

📍 Ki Coffee & Brunch (4655 SW Griffith Dr #160, Beaverton, OR, 97005)

🗓 October 22, 2026 from 9:30am-11:30am Add to Calendar

💲 Free

Bring your questions, leave with new insights and a clearer understanding of AI’s possibilities.

About Leila:

Leila Kaneda (she/her) is an experienced machine learning strategist, researcher, engineer, and founder with a passion for helping organizations harness AI to solve real-world problems. She holds a masters degree in AI and has spent a decade building production-grade ML systems across a variety of different industries such as nonprofits, restaurants, retail, agriculture, aerospace, finance, semiconductor, sustainability, and more. She has also spent more than 20 years as an educator, including some time as an adjunct instructor at Portland State University.

Leila is known for her ability to translate complex machine learning concepts into clear, actionable strategies that empower teams and drive innovation. Beyond her technical work, she’s an active speaker, educator, and community leader dedicated to making cutting-edge technology accessible and impactful.

Curious about AI? Already using it but hitting roadblocks? Drop in for AI Office Hours - a casual, no‑pressure way to get expert insight on your questions. For 2 hours, I’ll be available to talk through whatever’s on your mind: strategy, tools, implementation, or just “where do I even start?” Come for the whole time or pop in when you can.

What to Expect:

• Open conversation: no slides, no sales pitch.
• Small‑group or one‑on‑one discussions: get your questions answered.

When & Where:

📍 Upper Left Roasters (1204 SE Clay St, Portland, OR 97214)

🗓 October 22, 2026 from 1pm-3pm Add to Calendar

💲 Free

Bring your questions, leave with new insights and a clearer understanding of AI’s possibilities.

About Leila:

Leila Kaneda (she/her) is an experienced machine learning strategist, researcher, engineer, and founder with a passion for helping organizations harness AI to solve real-world problems. She holds a masters degree in AI and has spent a decade building production-grade ML systems across a variety of different industries such as nonprofits, restaurants, retail, agriculture, aerospace, finance, semiconductor, sustainability, and more. She has also spent more than 20 years as an educator, including some time as an adjunct instructor at Portland State University.

Leila is known for her ability to translate complex machine learning concepts into clear, actionable strategies that empower teams and drive innovation. Beyond her technical work, she’s an active speaker, educator, and community leader dedicated to making cutting-edge technology accessible and impactful.

Curious about AI? Already using it but hitting roadblocks? Drop in for AI Office Hours - a casual, no‑pressure way to get expert insight on your questions. For 2 hours, I’ll be available to talk through whatever’s on your mind: strategy, tools, implementation, or just “where do I even start?” Come for the whole time or pop in when you can.

What to Expect:

• Open conversation: no slides, no sales pitch.
• Small‑group or one‑on‑one discussions: get your questions answered.

When & Where:

📍 Latte Da in the Wine Room (205 E 39th St, Vancouver, WA 98663)

🗓 October 22, 2026 from 5pm-7pm Add to Calendar

💲 Free

Bring your questions, leave with new insights and a clearer understanding of AI’s possibilities.

About Leila:

Leila Kaneda (she/her) is an experienced machine learning strategist, researcher, engineer, and founder with a passion for helping organizations harness AI to solve real-world problems. She holds a masters degree in AI and has spent a decade building production-grade ML systems across a variety of different industries such as nonprofits, restaurants, retail, agriculture, aerospace, finance, semiconductor, sustainability, and more. She has also spent more than 20 years as an educator, including some time as an adjunct instructor at Portland State University.

Leila is known for her ability to translate complex machine learning concepts into clear, actionable strategies that empower teams and drive innovation. Beyond her technical work, she’s an active speaker, educator, and community leader dedicated to making cutting-edge technology accessible and impactful.

Portland Design Thinkers is excited to announce our next event with George DeCarlo: You can build and launch software

You don't need to be a developer to ship real software anymore. If you've ever had an idea for an app or tool and assumed it was out of reach, this session is for you.

George will show you how to use the AI tools you already have to create fully functional, production-ready software that's live on the internet. He'll walk through the whole process end to end, from first idea to a working URL, and build an app live that you can follow along with.

No prep needed. Just come curious and see how much closer you are to launching than you think.

About our speaker George has been hosting websites for millions of people since the early days of the web. His latest business is Hatchable, built from the ground up to make it easy to build anything with your existing AI and make it live.

Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session: drink your beverage of choice, bring your laptop, and hang out with your peers! Have engaging conversations, or focus on work or projects. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work.

---- Schedule ----

You're welcome to drop in anytime during the event. We understand that everyone may have external commitments and challenges - join us when you can!

We have informal unscheduled introductions - practice your personal elevator pitch, or take things slower to build your confidence.

---- Venue ----

Fly Chai allow us to informally and freely use their space. If within your budget, we'd appreciate your help to sustain our use of the venue, by purchasing something tasty, whether Chai or otherwise.

Find us at tables with a Code&Coffee sign - or a clump of laptop-users!

Wifi and power outlets are available. Our meeting area should be accessible - please let us know if not.

---- What to expect ----

Smaller events than you may be used to, with a mixed crowd week-to-week. We expect this is likely due to us meeting weekly, at a less central location.

These may result in what you're looking for:

A smaller, less intimidating, lower pressure, cozy atmosphere.
A mix of regular and new faces.
A simpler schedule - every week, same time, same place - that you can drop into when you like.
Being closer to you than other events.

Whether those are generally or partly to your liking, we hope you'll consider dropping by sometime!

---- Getting to the venue ----

Look for the venue on the meetup Google map, or alternatives like OpenStreetMap.

-- Driving --

There are limited parking spaces on a lot outside the venue (4+1 accessible), with more in the surrounding area.

-- Transit options --

Beaverton Central (Red/Blue MAX), then walk~ 8 minutes

Beaverton Transit Center (Red/Blue MAX, bus, WES) then walk ~11 minutes

For a shorter walk to the venue, take a bus from Beaverton Transit Center (52 to Farmington/Hall, 76 to Watson/Broadway, 57 to Canyon/Watson)

Join us for a Virtual Lunch & Learn presented by Terry Smith as he explores the importance of intentional company culture and how it influences your success.

One of the most succinct definitions of company culture is, “how things get done around here.” It’s a deceptively simple statement, and captures a wide range of behaviors, practices, processes, and rituals. For the founder and entrepreneur, that culture starts with the way you work and get things done. Being intentional about your culture means understanding and memorializing how you work and is essential to how you grow your business. If you succeed as you hope to, you will need to think about hiring and developing your team to help you achieve your vision. Are you ready for that? And, are you prepared to put in the work today that will build that foundation for success?

In this webinar, we’ll discuss the importance of intentional culture and how it influences your success. We’ll look at some practical approaches to being intentional, and we’ll discuss the long-term value of intentionality for your company. We will also talk about what happens when you don’t address your culture, and you find out your culture is addressing you. We’ll also review real world examples of successful intentional cultures, and at the hard data around those cultures. This is not “fluffy” stuff that can “wait until we’re not so busy;” this is real strategic action that won’t wait for you to get around to it.

Thanks to Roseline Coffee for providing a physical location! Find inside the hotel and to the right, likely on the couches

Coffee, bagels and people working on their careers and code! We have 2-5 mentors every month ready to help people get started in the industry, get help with a particular problem, or get career advice. We offer resume reviews, portfolio reviews, and sometimes mock interviews (time permitting).

Online Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YTljOWRlMDAtNThmZS00NzljLWE1YTEtZDhlODMyYzI0OTRi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2282ea9e81-6f10-49e0-a1f1-d75b0b4c2e7c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22143ee9d3-21a4-4da7-a1e8-2472c358110e%22%7d

Or call in (audio only)

+1 872-240-8681,,882162595# United States, Chicago

Phone Conference ID: 882 162 595#

Thanks to Capital One Café for providing a physical location!

Discord https://discord.gg/nSCxgbcG7U

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Get up-to-date information at: https://luma.com/wf629e9l

Address: Hawthorne Asylum Food Cart Pod Portland, Oregon United States

Hosted by Erin M Miles Rasmussen

Monthly community campaign meeting to coordinate actions toward building a public broadband option in the City of Portland. Open to all. This meeting is open to everyone interested in campaigning for a public broadband option for the City of Portland! Bringing community-owned internet infrastructure to Portland is a community effort! We need your help! No technical skills necessary.

This is a recurring community meeting happening every 2nd Thursday of the month.

We are gathering in the CETI Lab located on the 4th floor at 111 SW Columbia Street in downtown Portland. The Lab is easily acessible by public transporation. There is parking in the building garage on the 4th floor for $5.

Thank you to the CETI Institute for hosting Community Broadband PDX monthly meetings!

RSVP

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Roseline Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Roseline Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Thanks to Roseline Coffee for providing a physical location! Find inside the hotel and to the right, likely on the couches

Coffee, bagels and people working on their careers and code! We have 2-5 mentors every month ready to help people get started in the industry, get help with a particular problem, or get career advice. We offer resume reviews, portfolio reviews, and sometimes mock interviews (time permitting).

Online Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YTljOWRlMDAtNThmZS00NzljLWE1YTEtZDhlODMyYzI0OTRi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2282ea9e81-6f10-49e0-a1f1-d75b0b4c2e7c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22143ee9d3-21a4-4da7-a1e8-2472c358110e%22%7d

Or call in (audio only)

+1 872-240-8681,,882162595# United States, Chicago

Phone Conference ID: 882 162 595#

Thanks to Capital One Café for providing a physical location!

Discord https://discord.gg/nSCxgbcG7U

Share

Get up-to-date information at: https://luma.com/waifbpzl

Address: Hawthorne Asylum Food Cart Pod Portland, Oregon United States

Hosted by Erin M Miles Rasmussen