Seattle tech veteran Joe Heitzeberg was inspired to launch AI Tinkerers, a community for AI professionals, after seeing a tweet about the lack of tinkering happening in the industry. Heitzeberg, a former co-founder of Madrona Venture Labs and Crowd Cow, had a long-standing interest in AI and saw an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. AI Tinkerers started as a small meetup in Seattle but quickly gained traction, with meetups planned in eight cities around the world.
AI Tinkerers attracts seasoned AI professionals who are actively working on AI-powered applications and pushing boundaries in AI technologies such as large language models and generative AI. With nearly 8,000 members from companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, the community showcases over 250 AI tech demos covering diverse areas such as AI-powered gaming, healthcare, and education, as well as AI-assisted coding. The community is focused on fostering a spirit of innovation and experimentation among its members, who range from industry veterans to university students.
The demand to join AI Tinkerers is high, with many meetups having a waitlist larger than the number of attendees allowed. The community emphasizes that it is for AI builders, not enthusiasts, marketers, recruiters, or venture capitalists. The exclusivity is maintained to ensure a dedicated group of professionals focused on actively developing AI technologies. The community is not monetized, with sponsor support covering the costs of venue, food, and drink for meetups, and Heitzeberg serves as the visionary behind the platform, leaving the management to local leaders.
Heitzeberg, who had to close his startup Blueprint AI due to personal reasons, is now fully dedicated to AI Tinkerers. He sees the community as a valuable forum for technologists to collaborate and explore new ideas. The community operates as a meritocracy, where creative technologists passionately delve into new AI applications and startups in stealth mode. Heitzeberg believes that the power of AI technologies will ultimately make the world a better place, and he is optimistic about the impact that AI Tinkerers can have on fostering innovation and collaboration in the field.
AI Tinkerers has become a global phenomenon, with meetups planned in various cities from Seattle to Medellin, Colombia. The community is often compared to the Homebrew Computer Club of the 1970s, where hobbyists and innovators like the Apple founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak gathered to tinker and experiment with technology. Heitzeberg envisions AI Tinkerers as a similar gathering place for AI enthusiasts, where innovation thrives and new ideas are explored. With an emphasis on active participation and collaboration, AI Tinkerers has positioned itself as a leading community for AI professionals looking to drive advancements in the field.
As AI Tinkerers continues to grow and expand, Heitzeberg finds himself advising startups and individuals that are part of the community. He is encouraged by the creativity and passion he sees among members and believes that groundbreaking ideas and technologies will emerge from the collaborations within AI Tinkerers. The community serves as a hub for those dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI applications and technologies, creating a space where innovation and experimentation are celebrated and supported.
