About the chapter
A room where Hampton Roads learns AI by building with it
Everyone running this chapter uses AI at work every day. We started this chapter so students, career changers, small-business owners and engineers in the 757 could learn from people who've shipped real things with it.
Who we are
The AI Collective Hampton Roads is the local chapter of The AI Collective, a global community of 1.3 million members across 233 chapters. Our chapter has more than 5,000 members on Meetup.
In 2025 we ran 49 events at Old Dominion University, Norfolk State, ECPI, Assembly, The Hive and ISSA Hampton Roads. Attendees rated them 4.7 out of 5 across 129 reviews.
Community events are free. Companies that want private training or a branded workshop pay AI Collective Hampton Roads LLC, and that money keeps the community side free.
Who runs it
Andrew Stafford
Chapter lead · 26 years in technology, 13 in AI and machine learning
Andrew builds the chapter's workshop curriculum and teaches most of the hands-on sessions, from Claude Code setup to agent workflows. He works with small and mid-sized businesses on getting AI into daily operations.
Ted Patterson
Chapter co-lead · Mid-Atlantic regional director and author
Ted delivers keynotes and executive workshops on AI-first business strategy. He also runs one-on-one mentorship sessions at Assembly for founders working through business, tech and design questions.
Erin
Project management lead
Erin keeps chapter events and client projects on schedule. She also teaches the Vibecoding and web creation sessions and built the chapter's community platforms.
How the chapter runs
No background required
Beginners and working engineers share the same room. Mixed rooms learn faster.
Taught by practitioners
Everyone at the front of the room uses these tools for real work, and we say plainly when something doesn't work yet.
Paid work funds the free events
Community events cost nothing. Paid team training and sponsorships fund them.
Rooted in the 757
We meet on campuses and in coworking spaces our members already use.