Daniel Kwan and Jaron Lanier Engage in Dialogue on Storytelling and Algorithms

On July 25, 2025, in a private venue in West Hollywood, California, a thought-provoking discussion will take place between Oscar-winning director Daniel Kwan and renowned virtual reality pioneer Jaron Lanier. This event, hosted by Berggruen’s Studio B, will mark the conclusion of the third edition of Vaster Than Empires (VTE), a speculative storytelling retreat that seeks to explore the intersection of creativity and technology. The central theme of the evening will address a pressing question within the entertainment industry: "Can human storytelling survive the algorithm?"

The VTE retreat, which aims to foster innovative narratives at the nexus of science and fiction, has invited ten emerging screenwriters selected through an open application process. These writers will engage with leaders from diverse fields, including science, technology, and philosophy, to contemplate the future of human experience and storytelling. This year’s retreat follows a successful gathering held in Rome in 2024, emphasizing the global nature of this initiative.

Nicolas Berggruen, the founder of Studio B and the Berggruen Institute, articulated the importance of such programs, stating, "Our goal with Studio B is to build a bridge between the creative imagination of Hollywood and the frontier thinking of the Berggruen Institute. We believe storytelling has a critical role to play in shaping how societies imagine and build the future" (Berggruen, 2025).

The Studio B salon series has previously featured notable figures such as Eric Schmidt with Ashton Kutcher and Yuval Noah Harari with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, discussing the implications of advanced technology on society. This ongoing partnership with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures aims to explore the philosophical and cultural transformations in film, further underlining the significance of storytelling in contemporary society.

In the digital age, where algorithms increasingly influence content creation and dissemination, the conversation between Kwan and Lanier promises to delve into the complexities of human creativity in an algorithm-driven world. As Kwan, co-director of the acclaimed film "Everything Everywhere All at Once," prepares to engage with Lanier, who is recognized for his critical perspectives on technology and its impact on society, the event is poised to spark important dialogues about the future of storytelling.

The implications of this discussion extend beyond the confines of the event, as the intersection of creativity and technology continues to shape the media landscape. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning, understanding how these technologies affect narrative forms becomes increasingly vital. As the industry grapples with these challenges, the insights from Kwan and Lanier may offer valuable perspectives on preserving the essence of human storytelling amidst technological advancements.

In conclusion, the dialogue between Daniel Kwan and Jaron Lanier at Studio B signifies a critical moment in the ongoing exploration of the role of storytelling in a digital age. As participants at the Vaster Than Empires retreat reflect on the questions raised, the broader implications for the entertainment industry and society at large will continue to unfold in the coming years.