AI Studio’s New Tech Could Transform How Military History Is Told

If Daniel Clarke’s new studio, Unfeatured Films, gets its way, the future of documentary filmmaking, and how we engage with history, could change in a big way. According to Variety, Clarke, a filmmaker and creative agency veteran, launched the studio with a mission to turn archival images into cinematic, emotionally rich videos through the use of Artificial Intelligence. 

The goal is to make history feel alive and relevant, especially for younger audiences, without losing the care and authenticity that traditional storytelling demands. And when it comes to military history, that kind of vivid, immersive approach could hit especially hard. While the studio’s first project is focused on the history of the Schwinn Bicycle Company, the technology and methods being developed at Unfeatured Films could have powerful implications for military historians, veterans’ groups, museums, and institutions tasked with preserving America’s military past.

How Unfeatured Films Uses AI to Restore Archival Footage

Clarke describes Unfeatured Films as a human-led but tech-enhanced studio focused on “cost-effective AI-driven innovation.” In a statement, he explained: 

“We’re building a studio that creates human-centric, cinematic docs that use AI not for shortcuts but for breakthroughs. This allows us to tell the past with the vividness of the present and to do it at a scale and cost that opens new doors for filmmakers and buyers alike.”

Their first documentary, No Hands: The Wild Ride of the Schwinn Bicycle Company, is scheduled to hit the festival circuit in early 2026. But what makes the project significant isn’t the subject—it’s the process. Clarke and his team are negotiating with estate and archive owners to access long-forgotten visual material and bring it to life using AI-enhanced animation and restoration techniques. The result: photos that move, footage that looks sharper and more dynamic, and stories that might otherwise be lost or overlooked.

How AI Restoration Could Transform Military Storytelling

This innovation is particularly relevant to the world of military storytelling, where visual records are often limited or damaged. Wars from the early 20th century—and even the latter half—were documented using now-obsolete film formats. Much of what exists is degraded, incomplete, or lacks the movement and visual depth modern audiences are accustomed to.

There are thousands of wartime photos and reels sitting in archives. AI restoration could bring these images to life. Imagine pictures of the D-Day landings or the Korean War frontlines, as if filmed by a modern cinematographer, animated to make audiences feel present in those moments. For younger generations who are more likely to engage with fast-paced, immersive content, this technology could be a game-changer in how military history is understood and appreciated.

Why Military Historians Should Pay Attention to This Tech

There are also clear opportunities for integration across military and government institutions:

• Veterans Affairs & Commemorations: Restored and enhanced visuals could be used in ceremonies, memorial tributes, or interactive exhibits honoring veterans and fallen service members.
• Military Museums & National Archives: Institutions such as the Smithsonian, the National WWII Museum, or the Library of Congress could use this technology to revitalize their archives, turning static displays into more engaging, dynamic experiences.
• Recruitment & Training Materials: Modernized historical content can help new service members better understand the heritage and evolution of the armed forces through vivid visual storytelling.
• Public-Facing Documentary Projects: Partnering with the Department of Defense or public broadcasting outlets, AI-driven restoration could support educational media, especially for under-told or niche military stories.

Military historians have long wrestled with how to make the past feel urgent and relevant without rewriting it. This technology might finally offer a middle ground—inviting modern audiences in without compromising the truth of what happened.

Balancing Innovation with Integrity: The Risks of AI in Museums

While AI offers exciting possibilities for revitalizing historical footage, it also raises several ethical and practical red flags—especially in museums, where trust and accuracy are non-negotiable. According to a recent study published in Museum Management and Curatorship, museum professionals expressed deep concerns about using AI to generate or animate visual content. 

Practitioners fear that if AI systems are trained on incomplete or biased datasets, they could unintentionally reinforce stereotypes, favor specific demographics, or exclude underrepresented communities. In practice, this could mean AI-enhanced exhibits unintentionally marginalize the very audiences museums are trying to reach. Another primary concern is the credibility of AI-generated content. Experts expressed skepticism about the quality and accuracy of AI outputs, emphasizing the need for human verification, warning that AI could produce overly homogenized interpretations of historical events that would undermine the diversity and nuance museums strive to preserve. 

Preserving the Human Element in a Digital Age

As Unfeatured Films pushes to “film the past” through AI-enhanced storytelling, museums must tread carefully. Reanimating old footage may help modern audiences connect emotionally with history, but the trade-offs could have real-world negative consequences. Museums are more than content hubs; they’re cultural stewards. Any technology that risks distorting that role must be held to the highest standards of scrutiny.

Ultimately, the path forward will depend on balance—between innovation and integrity, scale and care, automation and human touch. If museums choose to embrace AI, they must do so with context, transparency, and with the visitor experience at the heart of every decision.