Jaron Lanier

Jaron Lanier is a scientist, futurist, musician, and author, known for his seminal works on computing, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.

Born in 1960 in New Mexico, Lanier received early training in computer science and mathematics. After dropping out of high school, he developed an interest in computers, writing a program for a computer drawing process at the age of eighteen. This work helped earn him a scholarship from the National Science Foundation, which provided the foundation for a lifetime of research into a wide range of topics in computing, from virtual reality to artificial intelligence.

In the 1990s, Lanier was a pioneering proponent of virtual reality, founding the research lab at VPL Research and being a consultant for the late Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber’s book, The Third Wave. Lanier is also co-inventor of the Visual Programming Language, which pioneered the development of virtual reality applications.

In 1992, Lanier wrote the book VIsual Reality, which is widely regarded as the first detailed understanding of the field. The book discusses how virtual reality can be used to construct an artificial universe, and explores the ethical issues of designing such worlds. Building upon his research in this area, Lanier also wrote a series of books, with the most notable being The Art of Creating Life (2000) and Dawn of the New Everything (2017).

In Dawn of the New Everything, Lanier draws on his work in computer science, mathematics, and philosophy to explore the promise and peril of our burgeoning digital situation. The book blends Lanier’s autobiographical musings with philosophical axioms to offer a sweeping, optimistic view of the future of humanity.

Lanier’s books have been widely acclaimed for their clear, accessible writing style and thought-provoking ideas. His most recent book, Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now, is a manifesto that calls for a major change in the way technology and social media are used. In the book, Lanier urges readers to repudiate their reliance on the seductive conveniences of social media and to embrace an ethos of direct engagement and creative exploration.

Lanier has also been recognized for his pioneering work in artificial intelligence, writing several books including Artificial Intelligence: Turning Computers into Thoughtful Machines and You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto. Among other topics, these books outline his view of the areas where artificial intelligence could lead society, as well as his worries that AI could be used as a tool of oppression and stifle creativity.

Throughout his career, Lanier has been passionate about communicating his ideas about the future of technology and its impact on the world. Through his books, blogs, and lectures, he has become an important voice in the discourse surrounding the potential of technology and the ethical choices we make with it.

Lanier’s impact on the field of computing will long outlast his writing career. He continues to work as an innovator and visionary, pushing the boundaries of what computer technology is capable of accomplishing.