Why I Built Data & AI Stockholm and What Came Next

It was a sunny day in April 2020 when I received a call from my manager announcing that COVID-19 had impacted my role and I would be laid off.

While I felt sad about the news, it also served as a wake-up call. I began to reconsider my career path, especially since I held a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a master’s in Management, but never truly felt passionate about marketing.

Back in high school, I had set my sights on a career in software engineering. But due to societal pressures, I ended up applying for marketing instead, convinced that

software engineering was not a suitable career for girls.

When I was later laid off due to COVID-19, it felt like the right moment to reconsider my path. I began exploring coding boot camps with the intention of finally making a career shift. Along the way, I also came across a Games Marketing course that piqued my interest. I applied and secured a job as a Marketing Manager at a VR games publisher and studio. Although I enjoyed this position, the idea of changing careers lingered at the back of my mind.'

After spending over two years in a toxic work environment, I finally decided to confront my fears and pursue my long-held dream of learning to code. I enrolled in a year-long program, earned a diploma in full-stack development with a specialisation in predictive analytics, and landed my first job as a Data Engineer.

Though I considered opportunities in software development, my primary interest was in data, and I couldn’t be prouder of taking that step to change careers.

The journey was not easy, but it was incredibly rewarding. Working as a Data Engineer has been a blend of fun, frustration, and fulfilment. Eager to grow, learn, and share ideas, I sought out data communities in Stockholm where I could connect with others, tackle challenges together, and discuss the latest trends.

Unfortunately, I could only find organised data events that focused on promoting specific services or platforms, which was not what I was looking for. I wanted something more personal and community-driven.

Inspired by the Data Tribe Collective community in Finland and after reaching out to Eevamaija Virtanen to learn more about their community, I took the initiative to establish Data & AI Stockholm. A community for data professionals looking to connect, collaborate, and grow within the data field.

So far, I have successfully hosted two engaging events featuring discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions that explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in data and AI. This has brought me immense joy! However, running a community is not as straightforward as it seems. I reached out for help, and now I have an amazing team of volunteers assisting me, fueling the growth of our community and ensuring that future events continue to foster joy, engagement, and meaningful discussions.

At Data & AI Stockholm, we’re building a space where data professionals of all backgrounds can connect, learn, and grow together. Whether you’re new to the field, pivoting into tech, or leading advanced AI projects, you’ll find a welcoming community focused on real connection over promotion.

• We host inclusive, low-barrier meetups — from hands-on sessions and lightning talks to open discussions about real-world challenges in data and AI.

• We prioritise honest conversations, knowledge sharing, and lifting each other up, regardless of experience level or title.

• We’re driven by curiosity, not sales pitches. You won’t find vendor-heavy events here — just genuine learning and collaboration. And we’re committed to keeping our content accessible on Discord, GitHub, our events, and beyond.

You belong here if you:

Love solving problems, asking hard questions, or simply want to connect with fellow data enthusiasts in Stockholm. No titles required. No experience gatekeeping. Just genuine learning and collaboration. :)

> This is written by Vanessa Andersson, for Data AI Stockholm. More about Data & AI Stockholm. If you would like to contribute or write to us, please reach out to me or DAIS on linkedin