The PEN HG Wells Lecture with Monica Ali
Event information
Where: The Common Room, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE
Date: Wednesday 29 November
Time: 7-8:15pm
Cost: £12/£10
Type: Talk
New Writing North is delighted to host the 2023 PEN HG Wells Lecture, to be delivered by acclaimed novelist, Monica Ali
The annual PEN HG Wells Lecture showcases visionary writing and new thinking in the spirit of former PEN president and founding member, author HG Wells. In this lecture, Monica Ali will explore the threat AI may pose to novelists and creatives in the future. Novelists have often provoked, challenged the status quo and caused offence, but large language models are currently programmed not to transgress in these ways. What will be the implications for minorities or marginalised voices?
Monica Ali is the bestselling author of five books including Brick Lane, which was shortlisted for the 2003 Booker Prize and most recently Love Marriage. Her work has been translated into 26 languages and she is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
English PEN is one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations, championing the freedom to write and read.
Chaired by Irenosen Okojie – due to illness, Irenosen will no longer be chairing this event. It will instead be chaired by Daniel Gorman, Director of English PEN.
Book sales and signing with The Bound bookshop after the event.