[NFBCS] Pete Being Pete, Artificial Intelligence

[Buddy Brannan]

What pushback? You’re absolutely right: AI has great potential to help us think more different, accomplish more, and make things happen. Braille displays? Sure. I as much as anyone am happy to see all the developments in that arena over the past 10 years or so. Piezoelectric Braille cell technology hasn’t changed significantly in 50 years. 50 years. Now, we’re seeing new technology: Orbit’s cells, run (we all believe but no one has confirmed) by micromotors. Cells powered by magnets. Cells powered by air pressure. Cells doing whatever it is tactile Engineering is doing. It’s all amazing, prices are coming down, choices are broadening, and multiline Braille is a reality that can be had forthe cost of a couple 40-cell traditional displays. Dr. Kurzweil’s timeline and his predictions for our accelerated growth seem to be on track. While I’m sure we won’t see a 25 line by 40 cell display tomorrow, certainly not at any sort of affordable price, if refreshable tactile technology keeps going and accelerating the way it is now, we may well see one in not very long, relatively speaking. With materials that change shape under temperature, electric current, what have you, it may be even possible to have something very thin and light indeed. Not today though, and no doubt not without a substantial R&D budget. After all, even AI doesn’t run for free (yet). 


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Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV, WRVB670 - Erie, PA
Email: buddy at brannan.name
Mobile: (814) 431-0962



> On Jun 25, 2026, at 3:14 PM, Peter via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello Buddy and everyone,
>  
> Yup it’s Pete being Pete. If the NFB wants us to live the lives we want being Pete is job one here. I’ll remember this conversation when the limousine picks us up for our events and the fireworks go off on Sunday. To bring this conversation home we’re big into AI here. AI is playing a significant part in planning our event on Sunday. Programming the YouTube playlist for our Sunday Dinner is one example. Securing the limousine company, researching this event and determining how we could reimagine it for Leila and her mother were all done using AI. Why not use AI to brainstorm ways to raise funding to develop Braille Displays that meet everyone’s specifications and to develop ways to put them into the hands of blind people needing them. We’ve run stuff like this by other agencies and organizations of the blind and don’t receive the kind of pushback we’re receiving here. If this pushback continues and it doesn’t come from anywhere else in the blind community the NFB has a problem. Dream big everyone. 
>  
> Peter Donahue sjust being Pete Again.  
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