Artificial Writing, Artificial Thinking
Presented by Art of Writing and co-sponsored by Berkeley Center for New Media (BCNM)
with Jaron Lanier, visionary computer scientist and author
In a moderated conversation with Ramona Naddaff (Rhetoric) and Art of Writing undergraduate students, Jaron will reflect on the repercussions of A.I. on writing, including on the development of voice, originality, and critical thinking skills.
About Jaron Lanier
Jaron Lanier is a computer scientist, author, and visionary known for his critical stance on the direction of technology and its impact on humanity. He visits Berkeley to engage in conversation with students about the effects of artificial intelligence on writing and other creative practices. He is a pioneering computer scientist in the field of virtual reality, widely recognized for his early contributions to immersive digital environments. As a subsequent critic of the very world he helped to create, he has been vocal about the social and ethical implications of modern technology on human experience and expression, including its consequences for the future of art, writing, and creativity. Jaron books include the national bestseller You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto (2010) and Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now (2018). He is a prominent voice in the 2020 documentary The Social Dilemma, which examines the deleterious effects of social media on users’ behavior, emotions, and mental health. His views writing as a deeply personal and imaginative act, often underappreciated in an era in which digital platforms prioritize speed and efficiency over thoughtful reflection. In his critiques of digital content creation, he expresses concern that the commercial pressures of social media and the internet are pushing writers to focus on metrics rather than on the quality and depth of their craft.
Accessibility
BCNM events are free and open to the public. This event will be held in-person, on the UC Berkeley campus. We strive to meet all access and accommodation needs. Please contact info.bcnm [at] berkeley.edu with requests or questions.
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