<html class="apple-mail-supports-explicit-dark-mode"><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">What Happened at the AI Lab Last Night?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">A lot of great discussion and exchange of ideas and resources.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">No slides. No \u201cAI 101.\u201d Just people working through what they\u2019re actually doing with AI right now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">We spent time digging into real use cases such as:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Using AI for data analysis and reporting, including making sense of incomplete information<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Exploring accessibility\u2014where AI is genuinely helpful, and where it still falls short<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Running AI locally and testing more independent, offline setups<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Building and experimenting with AI tools instead of just prompting and moving on<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Early exploration of agent-style systems like AutoGPT and OpenClaw<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">We also got into some of the realities that don\u2019t always get talked about:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">AI still needs verification, especially when working with data<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Some responses miss the mark or introduce bias<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">A lot of tools sound great, but are harder to get working in real workflows<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">We\u2019re not quite at plug-and-play yet<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">And probably the most valuable part? We weren\u2019t just talking about ideas. People walked away with things they actually want to try next. Things like:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Automating parts of their daily workflow<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Improving how AI helps tell a story with data<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Exploring local models and more independent setups<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Bringing real projects back to test and refine with the group<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">That\u2019s why we started the AI Lab. Not just learning what AI is, but figuring out how to actually use it in ways that matter. And to be able to learn from each other.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">This is the space where we test ideas, challenge what\u2019s working, and push things a little further each time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">If you haven\u2019t checked out the AI, Practically Speaking sessions yet, we\u2019d love to have you join us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Whether you\u2019re brand new to AI or already working in some incredible spaces, this is a place to learn, experiment, and grow. Connect with other AI enthusiasts, pick up new ideas, and walk away with something you can actually use. Everyone has something to share, too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">As blind people, learning how to use AI can make us more efficient, more independent, and more prepared to take on new challenges. And the reality is, it\u2019s only getting better.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Don't forget: AI Lab meets the last Monday of each month<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">And, AI Basics meets the first Monday of each month<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">So whether you are brand new to AI or you have so much knowledge about it you are just ready to explode! We would love to have you stop by and see what we are doing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">And, if you know anyone else that would love to be a part of these meet ups, sign up (or share with someone who should be there):<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMwEaA2jnJFR6w9v7MLHosG-fyzB7-MZFA6rn1uhqahhS2Nw/viewform?usp=publish-editor" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMwEaA2jnJFR6w9v7MLHosG-fyzB7-MZFA6rn1uhqahhS2Nw/viewform?usp=publish-editor</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.4px;">Brett Boyer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.4px;">Access Technology Instructor<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;">Pronouns: he/him/his<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.4px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;">Colorado Center for the Blind</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;">Phone: <span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">303.778.1130 Ext: 231</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;">Fax: <span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">303.778.1598</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">2233 W. Shepperd Ave.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Littleton, CO 80120</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;">The Colorado Center for the Blind is a training center and community of blind and low vision people, proudly affiliated with the National Federation of the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;">We believe blind people can do anything. Every day, we encourage and challenge each student\u2014and they come to understand their potential as they build the skills and confidence to live the life they want. Because when you believe in yourself and experience a thriving community of positive blind people, nothing can hold you back from pursuing your dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://cocenter.org/" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="color: blue;">cocenter.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/coloradocenterfortheblind" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cocenter4blind" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="color: blue;">Twitter</span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/cocenterorg" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="color: blue;">YouTube</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div dir="ltr"></div></body></html>