James researches and writes about artificial intelligence and how it may shape the future of work. But this idea looks firmly to the past - to memories, relationships, and lives that deserve to be seen, remembered, and celebrated.

James will visit care homes around his local town of Redhill, Surrey, inviting elderly residents to share old black and white photographs of people they’ve loved. Using AI restoration tools, he’ll carefully bring these images back to life in colour, enlarging and printing them beautifully before framing and gifting them back to each resident.

But it doesn’t stop there. James will also create a second print of each restored photograph to display publicly at Redhill Library, alongside short messages written by the residents about the people they’re honouring. This temporary exhibition will turn private memories into a shared community moment — celebrating lives lived, connections cherished, and the generations that came before us. A tender blend of technology, storytelling, and respect for the people whose stories shaped the world we live in today.