One of the most timely conversations I had during the Salem County Film & Arts Festival centered around a topic that feels impossible to avoid right now:
Artificial intelligence.
During the festival, I spoke with filmmakers Gage Smith and Chloey about their film FlirtAItion — and yes, the title is intentionally spelled with “AI” right in the middle of it.
Once they explained the concept behind the film, the title immediately made perfect sense.
What Is FlirtAItion About?
According to Gage, FlirtAItion takes place in a near-future world where artificial intelligence has become deeply integrated into daily life — to the point where people rely on it constantly for guidance on how to communicate, interact, and even build relationships.
The film follows two people attempting to have a conversation while AI continuously sits between them, influencing how they respond to one another.
At its core, the film pokes fun at society’s growing dependence on artificial intelligence while also asking an important question:
What happens when technology begins replacing genuine human interaction?
And honestly, that question feels more relevant now than ever.
The Growing Conversation Around AI
During our conversation, we also discussed the increasing realism of AI-generated content and how quickly the technology is evolving.
I brought up the viral AI-generated videos featuring celebrities like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise that have circulated online — clips so convincing that many people initially believed they were real productions.
That level of advancement is both fascinating and unsettling.
As we discussed, AI can absolutely be useful in the right hands, especially for learning, accessibility, and productivity. But the concern comes when society begins relying on it too heavily or using it irresponsibly.
Gage described AI as a tool that can help people when used in moderation, but warned about the dangers of allowing it to become a crutch that replaces authentic thinking and communication.
And ultimately, that message became the emotional core of the conversation.
“Let’s Just Have a Conversation”
One of my favorite moments from the interview came when Gage said:
“Let’s just have conversation.”
Simple.
Human.
And honestly, necessary.
That idea perfectly captured what FlirtAItion appears to be exploring beneath its humor and satire — the importance of real human connection in a world increasingly shaped by technology.
It also reinforced why film remains such a powerful storytelling medium.
At its best, filmmaking is communication.
It allows creators to express emotions, ideas, fears, and experiences in ways that spark larger conversations — exactly like this one.
More Salem County Film & Arts Festival Coverage Is Coming
My conversation with Gage Smith and Chloey is part of continuing coverage from the Salem County Film & Arts Festival through The Buzz – BuzzWorthy Radio.
More filmmaker interviews, festival highlights, and creator conversations are still on the way.
Watch the full interview above.
