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.

Copyright © 2025 by CJ Powers