A former advisor to the Clinton and Bush administrations who previous vice president Al Gore described as a “true visionary” will speak at City College about the ubiquity of the digital world and its profound effect on people.

“While television is primarily about our leisure time, the Internet is already transforming work, school and play,” said Jeffrey Cole, the director of the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication’s Center for the Digital Future.

Cole will host the lecture, “Trends, Fads & Transformation: The Impact of the Internet” at 7 p.m. Friday, April 5 at the Garvin Theatre on West Campus. It is free of charge.

Cole is the founder and director of the World Internet Project, a long-term longitudinal look at the effects of computer and Internet technology, which is conducted in more than 25 countries.

Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Al Gore have praised Cole on his expertise in technology. Gore described Cole as a “true visionary providing the public with information on how to understand the impact of media.”

“It’s a real coup to have somebody of his stature renowned nationally and internationally to come to our college and give this lecture,” said Jack Friedlander, executive vice president of educational programs, who has been friends with Cole over the years and invited Cole come to City College for the lecture.

“When he was at UCLA, from the feedback I’ve gotten he was the most popular lecturer at the university and when he gave his lectures the largest lecture hall would be overflowing,” said Friedlander.

Cole regularly makes presentations across the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

As an expert in the field of emerging media and technology, Cole helps lead companies around the world craft digital strategies in business.

“The Web has become the media of public service, of communication, of original content,” said Cole. “I think this will be viewed as the first event that demonstrates what the Web has become in terms of being transformational in people’s lives.”

Cole became the director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication in July 2004. The center conducts research to maximize the positive potential of mass media and the rapid growth of communication technology.

“Students who have an interest in digital media effects on society and other aspects of it will find it fascinating and will learn a lot,” said Friedlander. “They will be entertained and informed, and it will stimulate their thinking as well.”

The Center for Lifelong Learning is sponsoring the lecture, which is open to both the campus and general community.