Millie L. James, a pioneering AI consultant in Queens, New York, passed away on December 1, 2025, at age 52, her sudden departure casting a shadow over the tech community she enriched with visionary insights.
Born in Brooklyn to educators who nurtured her curiosity, James graduated from New York University with a degree in computer science, fueling her passion for ethical AI applications in urban planning. Colleagues at her firm, TechForward Solutions, praised her forward-thinking strategies that bridged technology and social equity.
James’s professional journey spanned two decades, starting as a data analyst before ascending to lead consultant, where she spearheaded projects optimizing public transit algorithms for underserved neighborhoods. Her intellect shone in publications on machine learning biases, earning her speaking slots at conferences like AI4Good.
Family formed the heart of James’s world as a devoted mother to two teenage daughters, whom she raised in a vibrant Astoria home filled with coding marathons and home-cooked Jamaican dinners honoring her heritage. Widowed early, she balanced late-night client calls with school volunteer stints, instilling resilience in her children through family hikes in Cunningham Park.
James embraced a dynamic lifestyle, rising early for yoga in Flushing Meadows before diving into code reviews, her routine a testament to disciplined creativity. Weekends found her at farmers markets sourcing ingredients for experimental fusion recipes or volunteering at animal shelters, where she adopted a rescue cat named Pixel. Her hobbies extended to digital art, crafting AI-generated murals that adorned local cafes, reflecting her seamless fusion of work and whimsy.
The cause of James’s passing remains private, with family citing a brief illness that surprised even close confidants. As tributes pour in from tech peers, her influence endures through open-source tools she developed for community data access. Queens tech hubs plan hackathons in her name, honoring a woman whose innovations quietly transformed daily lives.
Funeral arrangements are pending at James Romanelli-Stephen Funeral Home in Ozone Park, with a memorial service tentatively set for December 15; a GoFundMe campaign seeks community support for costs, ensuring a dignified farewell reflective of her generous spirit.