James leads Product Development for Google’s Gemini Applied Research team, which designs and builds the artificial intelligence powering every Gemini query, NotebookLM lesson, and Google Search result. While at Davos, he unveiled new agentic AI features and shared a preview of what’s to come in AI alongside global tech leaders like Yann LeCun. His appearance included panel discussions moderated by TechCrunch's Editor-at-Large and live demos of new Gemini-powered product experiences.

When James arrived at Dwight in the ninth grade, his sights were set on a professional tennis career. Yet, in an environment built to nurture every student's "spark of genius," he discovered his spark wasn't meant to be singular. "My teachers at Dwight never boxed me in," James reflects. Instead of narrowing his focus, he embraced Dwight’s interdisciplinary approach to learning, proving his passions didn’t have to exist in silos. He thrived simultaneously as a recruited athlete, one of Dwight’s most awarded students, and a committed actor — winning Dwight Shakespeare Competitions that paved the way for admission to BFA programs at prestigious schools like NYU Tisch.

He went on to study neuroscience at Columbia, but today, James credits Dwight's rigor, globally-minded inquiry, and focus on human-centric problem-solving as the major influence behind his work. "People always ask how a humanities and tennis guy ends up in AI development, but to me, it’s a straight line," he explains. "My teachers at Dwight showed me that whether you're breaking down a character's motives, figuring out an opponent, or thinking through how a user will interact with an AI agent, it always comes back to empathy. They taught me to care about the human element first. That’s the exact mindset I bring to work every day — trying to build technology that helps shift the arc of humanity in a positive direction."

Bringing his industry insights back to where his journey began, James will advise Dwight on upcoming AI initiatives. “Dwight is the most innovative school in the world, and I truly believe there is no better place in the AI era that prepares students to be leaders, creators, and stewards of a better society,” James shares. “There are so many impactful initiatives that Dwight has on the horizon that I know Dwight students and young people around the world will love.”

From the Dwight classroom, tennis court, and theater to the global economic stage, we are proud of all that James has achieved and look forward to seeing how he continues to push boundaries.