AI KNOWS is a short film born from a conversation I had with a small group of middle school students. We were discussing AI and its implications for the future. One person shared how AI was giving him daily instructions to make him a millionaire by the age of 18. Not only did he follow its every step, but he made it clear that AI was a god that would soon bless him.
Another person shared how AI was erasing all entry-level jobs, so he would never have the opportunity to experiment and apply what he learned in school to real life. He was convinced his risk level for failure was on the rise.
The first kid set his beliefs on false hope. The second kid had lost all hope. I was inspired in that moment to write AI KNOWS as a discussion starter to help parents talk to their kids about our rapidly changing world.
The purpose of the story is to help the audience understand that AI is not a god, nor is it perfect. It was programmed by people using inaccurate databases, which leads to its errors and hallucinations. The story also highlights that wisdom is of greater value than the rapid dissemination of data. Our teens and tweens need to understand that they are valuable and can utilize far greater inputs than AI has to work with, including intuition, experiential wisdom, spiritual wisdom, accurate gut feelings, creativity, and more.
Our team is coming together with some of the best talent from Hollywood. The reason is that they all believe in the message and helping teens and tweens nationwide wake up to the reality of AI, rather than being consumed by the hype or fears that some embrace. This project is timely due to the vast number of people discussing AI daily.
If we can raise the funds needed, filming will begin in early September. The visual effects will start that same week. The goal is to release the completed film during the Thanksgiving Day weekend. However, if the visual effects take longer, the film will be released in mid-December.
The film will be submitted to various festivals to increase our press coverage and catch the attention of more young viewers. The film will also be released on the world’s largest television network: YouTube (Believe it or not, Netflix has about half the viewership of YouTube, and Disney has about half the viewership of Netflix).
Click here to learn more about this project and to watch the video below.
It’s easy to assume that empathy is something we’re born with—or not. But in truth, empathy is often learned, and storytelling is one of the most effective teachers.
Stories allow us to live someone else’s experience, if only for a moment. They give us access to emotions we might not otherwise understand, and perspectives we might never have considered. Whether through a novel, a film, or a story told around a dinner table, narratives create a safe space where we can feel deeply, reflect personally, and begin to understand another’s reality.
My goal with the short film AI KNOWS is to help tweens consider information about AI versus wisdom that they will eventually have to face. Ideally, they need to address the topic with their family, who may or may not be able to speak to the relevant issues—the reason my film is an important conversation starter.
The Science of Stories
Neuroscientists have discovered that our brains activate when we hear a story in ways that mirror the storyteller’s experience. This phenomenon, known as neural coupling, helps explain why a good story can leave us feeling emotionally moved—it literally puts us in someone else’s shoes. In the case of my film, they will relate to a character who faces the circumstances to choose between AI and wisdom.
But storytelling does more than spark emotion. It builds bridges. When we hear about someone overcoming hardship, celebrating triumph, or navigating the complexities of life, we start to realize how much we have in common. The story’s specifics might differ, but the emotions underneath—fear, hope, joy, sorrow—are universal. These become the planks for the bridge we build to help others learn from mistakes not yet made.
The Mechanics of the Bonding Effect
When a person watches a main character do something cool, face something critical, or any other form of heightened emotion, the audience immediately relates the moment to their personal experience. While the circumstances won’t match, the moment’s emotions will be relatable. They form a bond with that character and must watch to see how their choices work out.
The bond starts with curiosity—a willingness to wonder about possibilities instead of jumping to conclusions. This desire to know opens the mind to consider things they might never have considered. We won’t be satisfied until the silent question bouncing around in our mind that we need answered by the main character’s choices gets revealed.
Why Film Transforms Tweens and Culture
Film offers a unique opportunity to shape how tweens interpret the world. At this pivotal age, they’re beginning to understand more profound truths, yet are still open to imaginative learning. A compelling story with powerful visuals and authentic emotion can unlock conversations that textbooks or lectures cannot.
In AI KNOWS, tweens meet characters navigating a future that could soon become their own. By watching others make hard decisions, face uncomfortable truths, and challenge the system, viewers develop empathy—and begin to imagine how they might handle similar dilemmas. The film doesn’t tell them what to think. Instead, it gives them something to think about.
When families watch together, those shared emotional moments become starting points for meaningful discussions. Parents don’t have to have all the answers—they just have to be present, willing to explore the story’s questions with their kids.
The Empathy We Need Next
The best part of empathy is that it’s an element of love. This form of love allows us to guide others without judging them. It empowers us to reflect back to them the golden nuggets of who they are, so they might see their own value.
Empathy isn’t built in the abstract. It’s built into the specifics. In the moments we lean in. In the details that reveal the heart. And in the courage it takes to tell, and to truly hear, someone else’s story.
Let us not underestimate the power of a narrative film or story. Because every time we tell a story—or listen to one—we take a step closer to understanding, connection, and the kind of empathy that can change everything.
Grow Your Empathy
Empathy begins in the pause—the moment we choose to engage, rather than dismiss. The next time you read a novel, watch a film, or hear someone share their story, lean in. Let their words stir your imagination. Let their experiences open your heart.
Ask yourself: What truth are they sharing? What emotions are they carrying? How might this moment shift how I see the world—or how I treat someone else?
If you’re with family, take the opportunity to ask questions. Explore what resonated with each person. Let the story serve as a springboard into real, honest dialogue.
You don’t need to be an expert to build empathy—you just need to be present, willing, and open to the story unfolding before you.
As a tech-savvy person, I started exploring AI several years before most people knew it had entered our world. Maybe it was my appreciation for sci-fi that drove my play, or even my time writing computer programs back in the day, but in reality, it was my concern for a group of tweens I met who weren’t sure if they should engage or avoid AI.
Over the past few months, I’ve chatted with middle schoolers about their hopes and fears surrounding AI. As someone passionate about storytelling, I wanted to channel what I learned into a project that could both engage and empower them. That’s where my short film AI KNOWS comes in.
As I listened to tweens share their thoughts, I was struck by their mix of excitement and apprehension. Many of them see AI as an exciting tool—something that can make their lives easier, help them with homework, or even create fun videos. But there’s also an underlying fear of the unknown.
What does AI mean for their futures? Will it take away their future jobs? Will it even understand their creativity or emotion?
The AI Dilemma for the Next Generation
In AI KNOWS, Davis, the young shuttle pilot, faces a critical decision: Does he trust the AI, or does he listen to the wisdom of Jet, an older, more experienced aviation mechanic? This dilemma isn’t just fictional—it’s the same dilemma that today’s tweens face when they come across fake images, deepfake videos, or voice recordings that sound real but aren’t. Just like Davis learns, AI can’t always be trusted to make the right call.
Through AI KNOWS, I wanted to provide families with a tool to help them facilitate a meaningful conversation. I firmly believe that how we face AI and determine our use of this tool must be defined in the family, not in schools or the government. Once common ground is developed within our families, the schools and government should support the family’s decisions.
To that end, I wanted families to explore Davis’ journey from blindly trusting AI to realizing it’s not infallible. This evolution is something every family can reflect on as they navigate their own relationship with technology. I hope this film serves as a jumping-off point for parents and tweens to discuss how to approach AI with discernment in their daily lives.
So, how can teens discern the real from the fake in an AI-driven world? Here are three steps to help navigate this new reality:
1. Question the Source Every piece of information or media comes from a source. Tweens should be taught to check who created the content and whether that source is trustworthy. Is it from a verified news outlet? Is it a brand or influencer they recognize? In AI KNOWS, Davis’ blind faith in AI prevents him from questioning the source of the information he’s receiving. Just like in the real world, AI may not always provide the full truth—sometimes even creating “hallucinations,” or false information that wasn’t intended. Tweens should be encouraged to ask, “Who’s behind this?” and whether the source is verified and reliable.
2. Use Technology to Verify In the world of AI KNOWS, Davis learns that technology can also be used to find the truth. Just as AI can create fake content, there are tools that can help reveal it. Encourage tweens to use tools like reverse image search engines, apps to detect deepfakes, or software to analyze videos and images for inconsistencies. In the same way that Davis uses his resources to verify the AI’s integrity, kids should learn to use technology to verify what they encounter online.
3. Understand the Consequences of Fake Content Fake content can have serious consequences. Tweens must know that misleading or altered content spreads quickly and can damage reputations, distort events, or worse, cause harm. By teaching them about the ripple effects of fake content, they can better understand the weight of their responsibility when sharing information. Like Davis realizes that his blind trust in AI led to a dangerous situation, tweens need to understand that sharing fake content can hurt people and impact society.
A Family Conversation Starter
As AI KNOWS moves from storyboard to screen, I’m excited about its potential as a tool to help families start conversations. How can we, as adults, help our kids understand that while AI can be a powerful tool, it’s essential to approach it with a discerning eye? How can we teach them the value of questioning, verifying, and understanding the consequences of what they share online?
The ultimate goal isn’t just to raise awareness about AI’s limitations, but to teach kids that AI is only a tool. Wisdom, on the other hand, is something that can be cherished, something that endures, and something that will stand the test of time. While AI can assist and enhance our lives, it cannot replace the timeless value of human experience and judgment.
I hope that AI KNOWS isn’t just a movie. I hope it’s a gateway for families to discuss what it means to navigate a world increasingly dominated by AI. It’s not about scaring our kids; it’s about equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in a digital world. By using the film as a discussion starter, families can explore the importance of being critical of the tools we use and understand how AI fits into the broader context of communication, creativity, and human wisdom.
Kids need to understand that while AI can be incredibly helpful, true guidance is provided by the wisdom passed down through generations of families. This understanding empowers them to use AI responsibly while still holding on to the wisdom that shapes their decisions, actions, and values.
CJ's Corner 