Sebastian Gutierrez
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AI Tinkerers: The Modern Homebrew Computer Club for AI

Organization: AI Tinkerers

Context

I recently asked about connecting with AI practitioners in London, and “AI Tinkerers” was recommended as the go-to community.

The pitch? “Homebrew Computer Club for AI”

What I’ve found through their YouTube content is a global community that’s serious about technical depth and actual building.

What Makes It Different

AI Tinkerers positions itself distinctly from typical AI meetups:

  • Focus on active builders and practitioners, not just enthusiasts
  • Technical depth over general networking
  • Rigorous screening process to maintain community quality

The focus on people “tinkering” with AI and, per the FAQ, the recommendation that you include your GitHub profile in the application to attend, means that you’ll find people like you.

These guidelines reflect the core values that shape every meetup.

Community Values

What strikes me most about AI Tinkerers is their clear vision:

  • Technical depth over networking
  • Raw innovation over polished presentations
  • Active building over passive learning
  • Community protection (you must show “receipts” (read GitHub profile) that you’re building things to get in)

Global Reach

While they started in major tech hubs, AI Tinkerers has expanded to over 100 cities across six continents.

In the first draft of this post, I listed 100 cities alphabetically.

Please visit their website and see if they have a local branch you can visit.

Also worth noting is that they provide extensive resources if you want to start your own chapter.

Their message is clear: if you’re actively building in AI, you can create the community you want to see.

What happens at meetups?

If you are selected to attend, you’ll get to participate in:

  • Technical demos from practitioners
  • Code sharing and technical discussions
  • Networking among active builders
  • No slides rule (demos only)
  • Monthly cadence (varies by city)

Personal Notes

While I haven’t applied to attend a meetup yet, the technical depth of their video content suggests this isn’t just another AI networking group.

Their focus on practical implementation and code sharing aligns well with what you and I seek: a community of builders rather than theorists.

In the meantime, if you go to their YouTube video page, which they call “One-Shot,” you’ll see and learn from a variety of really interesting people doing cool things.

For example, their latest video (released Jan 6th, 2025) showcases exactly what makes this community special:

We’re blasting off into the realm of voice-controlled drones with Maxwell Wang—SpaceX software engineer and creator of Dispatcher, an end-to-end aerial AI system that’s turning sci-fi ambitions into practical, weekend-ready tech.

In this explosive “One-Shot” episode, we’ll dismantle the complexities of building a flying Linux computer—GPU, 5G, real-time inference, and all—and see how voice commands can orchestrate everything from speed adjustments to target tracking.

The video isn’t just another tech talk, it’s a deep dive into practical implementation, complete with all the messy details that make real engineering fascinating.

Check it out!