HAMILTON, ON – Mohawk College has been awarded $359,998 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to expand ‘Remembering Their Faces’ , a national research project using ethical artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance how Canadian museums preserve and share their photographic collections.
Remembering Their Faces is led by Stephen Adams, faculty member at Mohawk’s School of Engineering Technology and Aviation and researcher with IDEAWORKS. What began as Adams’ personal search for his grandfather’s military service records has grown into a collaborative, cross-sector effort combining software engineering, data ethics, and museum studies. The project’s mission is to help museums responsibly apply AI and leverage community participation to make their photographic archives more complete, discoverable, and representative of Canada’s diverse history.
“Our research question is both simple and demanding,” said Adams. “How can Canadian museums use AI—responsibly and with public participation—to make photographic collections more accessible and accurate while honouring cultural sensitivities and ethical obligations? And we are excited to explore and answer this question.”
With previous funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the research team has developed a proof-of-concept digital platform that integrates face detection, human review, and transparent documentation of image provenance. The approach prioritizes ethics, accuracy, and public engagement, inviting community members to contribute photographs, names, and stories while empowering museum staff and students with training and open-source tools.
By collaborating with museum partners across Canada, the project demonstrates how both small and large institutions can overcome technical and operational barriers to AI adoption. The team is developing open-source software, training resources and plain-language documentation such as Ethics, AI, and Your Archives.
“Remembering Their Faces exemplifies Mohawk’s applied research, turning emerging technologies into practical solutions that strengthen communities,” said Andrea Johnson, General Manager, Centre for Emerging Research Initiatives. “Through this work, our researchers and students are helping preserve Canada’s heritage in a way that’s inclusive, collaborative, and forward-looking. Beyond preserving history, the project also gives Mohawk students hands-on experience in machine learning, facial recognition, and the ethical use of AI — skills that are shaping the next generation of innovators.”
“The National Air Force Museum of Canada‘s extensive photographic collection has the ability to tell rich and engaging stories,” said Laura Imrie, Curator at the National Air Force Museum of Canada. “By partnering with Remembering Their Faces, we are able to identify previously unknown individuals and begin uncovering their stories, giving context and helping to expand the historical narrative.”
The project builds on previous funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) through the Partnership Engage Grant and Community and College Social Innovation Fund and now continues with NSERC support to expand national partnerships, develop technical frameworks, and further test AI-assisted identification tools in real-world museum contexts.