Remembering with Reminiscope: Codesigning with Generative AI for Reminiscence Among Older Adults

Generative AI has shown the potential to support older adults to reminisce about the past by producing personalized memory-related content despite the person’s varied ability to elaborate or the lack of memory cues. We present two studies to investigate how generative AI can support older adults in individual and group reminiscence. In Study 1, we conducted individual co‑design sessions with 16 older adults, during which participants created textile collages inspired by personal memories and then used generative AI to transform these creations into memory‑related video content. In the second study, we incorporate the textile collages and AI-generated videos into an interactive artifact, Reminiscope, and introduce it in a series workshops with 15 participants (with 14 returning participants from Study 1) to support group reminiscence. Findings from these studies reveal how older adults’ perspectives towards collaborating with generative AI for creating memory-related content, and their experiences of engaging with an AI‑enhanced interactive artifact during shared reminiscence activities. Our work contributes to the emerging trend of leveraging generative AI to support reminiscence in older adults, and provide design implications for future reminiscence technologies.