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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.

Lanier 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.

Lanier's 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.

Lanier 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.

In a moderated conversation with UC Berkeley students, Lanier reflects on the repercussions of A.I. on writing, including on the development of voice, originality, and critical thinking skills.

The Art of Writing Lecture is supported by a generous endowment created in memory of Michael Rogin, who taught political science at UC Berkeley for more than three decades.