Mark Ryan

Digital Ethics Researcher at Wageningen Economic Research

About

Ryan’s primary research focuses on the ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence and digital technology. He has published numerous papers on the topic, and has presented his work at various international conferences. He is also a member of the Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE). Mark was previously a researcher at KTH University (Stockholm), the University of Twente (the Netherlands), and the National University of Ireland, Galway (Ireland). While at Twente, he worked on an interdisciplinary  project (SHERPA), involving 11 partners from 6 European countries. This project was a European Union Horizon 2020 project (2018-2021, budget €3 million) and focused on the ethical, social and human rights implications of smart information systems (data analytics and artificial intelligence) within a European context. He has published on topics, such as the ethics of smart cities, self-driving vehicles, agricultural data analytics, social robotics, and AI. In his previous research, he has also published a 2016 monograph: Human Values, Environmental Ethics and Sustainability.

Education

National University of Ireland, Galway

PhD, Ethics - AI / 2015

Galway

National University of Ireland, Galway

MA, Philosophy / 2010

Galway

Carlow University

BA, Philosophy / 2008

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Experience

Wageningen University and Research Wageningen Economic Research

Digital Ethics Researcher at Wageningen Economic Research / August, 2020Present

He specialises in the ethics of AI, data-sharing, and robotics. In his work at Wageningen, his research gives a special attention to ethical and societal concerns of developing and implementing digital technologies

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Postdoctoral Researcher / 20192020

In this position at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, I worked in the Department of Philosophy alongside Dr. Barbro Fröding on the ethics of technology, specifically focusing on the ethics of artificial intelligence. As part of my role, I published several international peer-reviewed articles, attended international conferences to disseminate my work, organised internal workshops, and applied for grant funding.

University of Twente

Postdoctoral Researcher / 20182019

In my position at University of Twente, I worked in the Department of Philosophy alongside Prof. Brey and Dr. Macnish on the prestigious and exciting 3 ½ - year international SHERPA Project that was funded through the European Union Horizon 2020 “Science with and for Society” program with a budget of 3 million euros. It had eleven participating organizations, ranging from universities to industry to human rights organizations, amongst others. The SHERPA project investigated, analyzed and synthesized our understanding of the ways in which Smart Information Systems (SIS - involving big data analytics and artificial intelligence) impact ethics and human rights issues. It developed novel ways of understanding and addressing their challenges, evaluated with stakeholders, and advocated the most desirable and sustainable solutions. My role in this project focused on the ethical evaluation of particular SIS technologies, the companies and organizations that use and implement them, and the societal implications of their widespread adoption and integration. As part of my role, I liaised with international organizations from an array of societal domains and evaluate their use of these emerging technologies.

Granning IrL

Digital Sales Manager / 20162018

Publications

In AI We Trust: Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, and Reliability

Science and Engineering Ethics / Jun 10, 2020

Ryan, M. (2020). In AI We Trust: Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, and Reliability. Science and Engineering Ethics, 26(5), 2749–2767. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-020-00228-y

Artificial intelligence ethics guidelines for developers and users: clarifying their content and normative implications

Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society / Jun 09, 2020

Ryan, M., & Stahl, B. C. (2020). Artificial intelligence ethics guidelines for developers and users: clarifying their content and normative implications. Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, 19(1), 61–86. https://doi.org/10.1108/jices-12-2019-0138

The Future of Transportation: Ethical, Legal, Social and Economic Impacts of Self-driving Vehicles in the Year 2025

Science and Engineering Ethics / Sep 03, 2019

Ryan, M. (2019). The Future of Transportation: Ethical, Legal, Social and Economic Impacts of Self-driving Vehicles in the Year 2025. Science and Engineering Ethics, 26(3), 1185–1208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-019-00130-2

Artificial intelligence for human flourishing – Beyond principles for machine learning

Journal of Business Research / Jan 01, 2021

Stahl, B. C., Andreou, A., Brey, P., Hatzakis, T., Kirichenko, A., Macnish, K., Laulhé Shaelou, S., Patel, A., Ryan, M., & Wright, D. (2021). Artificial intelligence for human flourishing – Beyond principles for machine learning. Journal of Business Research, 124, 374–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.11.030

In defence of digital contact-tracing: human rights, South Korea and Covid-19

International Journal of Pervasive Computing and Communications / Aug 06, 2020

Ryan, M. (2020). In defence of digital contact-tracing: human rights, South Korea and Covid-19. International Journal of Pervasive Computing and Communications, 16(4), 383–407. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijpcc-07-2020-0081

Ethics of Using Smart City AI and Big Data: The Case of Four Large European Cities

The ORBIT Journal / Jan 01, 2019

Mark, R., & Anya, G. (2019). Ethics of Using Smart City AI and Big Data: The Case of Four Large European Cities. The ORBIT Journal, 2(2), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.29297/orbit.v2i2.110

Ethics of Using AI and Big Data in Agriculture: The Case of a Large Agriculture Multinational

The ORBIT Journal / Jan 01, 2019

Mark, R. (2019). Ethics of Using AI and Big Data in Agriculture: The Case of a Large Agriculture Multinational. The ORBIT Journal, 2(2), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.29297/orbit.v2i2.109

Agricultural Big Data Analytics and the Ethics of Power

Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics / Nov 18, 2019

Ryan, M. (2019). Agricultural Big Data Analytics and the Ethics of Power. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 33(1), 49–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10806-019-09812-0

Organisational responses to the ethical issues of artificial intelligence

AI & SOCIETY / Feb 16, 2021

Stahl, B. C., Antoniou, J., Ryan, M., Macnish, K., & Jiya, T. (2021). Organisational responses to the ethical issues of artificial intelligence. AI & SOCIETY, 37(1), 23–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-021-01148-6

Implementing an ethical approach to big data analytics in assistive robotics for elderly with dementia

ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society / Jan 05, 2016

Felzmann, H., Beyan, T., Ryan, M., & Beyan, O. (2016). Implementing an ethical approach to big data analytics in assistive robotics for elderly with dementia. ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 45(3), 280–286. https://doi.org/10.1145/2874239.2874279

Identifying key ethical debates for autonomous robots in agri-food: a research agenda

AI and Ethics / Oct 04, 2021

Ryan, M., van der Burg, S., & Bogaardt, M.-J. (2021). Identifying key ethical debates for autonomous robots in agri-food: a research agenda. AI and Ethics, 2(3), 493–507. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-021-00104-w

The social and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence in agriculture: mapping the agricultural AI literature

AI & SOCIETY / Jan 03, 2022

Ryan, M. (2022). The social and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence in agriculture: mapping the agricultural AI literature. AI & SOCIETY. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-021-01377-9

Research and Practice of AI Ethics: A Case Study Approach Juxtaposing Academic Discourse with Organisational Reality

Science and Engineering Ethics / Mar 08, 2021

Ryan, M., Antoniou, J., Brooks, L., Jiya, T., Macnish, K., & Stahl, B. (2021). Research and Practice of AI Ethics: A Case Study Approach Juxtaposing Academic Discourse with Organisational Reality. Science and Engineering Ethics, 27(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-021-00293-x

The Ethical Balance of Using Smart Information Systems for Promoting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainability / Jun 12, 2020

Ryan, M., Antoniou, J., Brooks, L., Jiya, T., Macnish, K., & Stahl, B. (2020). The Ethical Balance of Using Smart Information Systems for Promoting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability, 12(12), 4826. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124826

Technofixing the Future: Ethical Side Effects of Using AI and Big Data to Meet the SDGs

2019 IEEE SmartWorld, Ubiquitous Intelligence & Computing, Advanced & Trusted Computing, Scalable Computing & Communications, Cloud & Big Data Computing, Internet of People and Smart City Innovation (SmartWorld/SCALCOM/UIC/ATC/CBDCom/IOP/SCI) / Aug 01, 2019

Ryan, M., Antoniou, J., Brooks, L., Jiya, T., Macnish, K., & Stahl, B. (2019). Technofixing the Future: Ethical Side Effects of Using AI and Big Data to Meet the SDGs. 2019 IEEE SmartWorld, Ubiquitous Intelligence & Computing, Advanced & Trusted Computing, Scalable Computing & Communications, Cloud & Big Data Computing, Internet of People and Smart City Innovation (SmartWorld/SCALCOM/UIC/ATC/CBDCom/IOP/SCI). https://doi.org/10.1109/smartworld-uic-atc-scalcom-iop-sci.2019.00101

Food system resilience: ontology development and impossible trinities

Agriculture & Food Security / Sep 29, 2021

van Wassenaer, L., Oosterkamp, E., van Asseldonk, M., & Ryan, M. (2021). Food system resilience: ontology development and impossible trinities. Agriculture & Food Security, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-021-00332-7

Understanding Ethics and Human Rights in Smart Information Systems

The ORBIT Journal / Jan 01, 2019

Kevin, M., Mark, R., & Bernd, S. (2019). Understanding Ethics and Human Rights in Smart Information Systems. The ORBIT Journal, 2(2), 1–34. https://doi.org/10.29297/orbit.v2i1.102

An AI ethics ‘David and Goliath’: value conflicts between large tech companies and their employees

AI & SOCIETY / Mar 31, 2022

Ryan, M., Christodoulou, E., Antoniou, J., & Iordanou, K. (2022). An AI ethics ‘David and Goliath’: value conflicts between large tech companies and their employees. AI & SOCIETY. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-022-01430-1

Navigating the Twilight Zone : Pathways towards digital transformation of food systems

Jan 01, 2021

Wolfert, S., van Wassenaer, L., van der Burg, S., Ryan, M., Klerkx, L., Rijswijk, K., McCampbell, M., Athanasiadis, I., & Beers, G. (2021). Navigating the Twilight Zone : Pathways towards digital transformation of food systems. https://doi.org/10.18174/552346

AI for Not Bad

Frontiers in Big Data / Sep 11, 2019

Moore, J. (2019). AI for Not Bad. Frontiers in Big Data, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdata.2019.00032

Precautionary Principle, Pluralism and Deliberation

Nov 30, 2016

Reber, B. (2016). Precautionary Principle, Pluralism and Deliberation. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119335931

The ethics of dietary apps: Technology, health, and the capability approach

Technology in Society / Feb 01, 2022

Ryan, M. (2022). The ethics of dietary apps: Technology, health, and the capability approach. Technology in Society, 68, 101873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.101873

Ethics of Public Use of AI and Big Data

The ORBIT Journal / Jan 01, 2019

Mark, R. (2019). Ethics of Public Use of AI and Big Data. The ORBIT Journal, 2(2), 1–33. https://doi.org/10.29297/orbit.v2i1.101

An interdisciplinary approach to artificial intelligence in agriculture

NJAS: Impact in Agricultural and Life Sciences / Jan 30, 2023

Ryan, M., Isakhanyan, G., & Tekinerdogan, B. (2023). An interdisciplinary approach to artificial intelligence in agriculture. NJAS: Impact in Agricultural and Life Sciences, 95(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/27685241.2023.2168568

Digitalization of agriculture

Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Digital agriculture - development strategy” (ISPC 2019) / Jan 01, 2019

Vlasova, A. (2019). Digitalization of agriculture. Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Digital Agriculture - Development Strategy” (ISPC 2019). https://doi.org/10.2991/ispc-19.2019.90

Policy recommendations

Nov 10, 2021

(2021). Policy recommendations. https://doi.org/10.1787/396ddd49-en

Trust in farm data sharing: reflections on the EU code of conduct for agricultural data sharing

Ethics and Information Technology / Jul 10, 2020

van der Burg, S., Wiseman, L., & Krkeljas, J. (2020). Trust in farm data sharing: reflections on the EU code of conduct for agricultural data sharing. Ethics and Information Technology, 23(3), 185–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-020-09543-1

Trust in farm data sharing: reflections on the EU code of conduct for agricultural data sharing

Ethics and Information Technology / Jul 10, 2020

van der Burg, S., Wiseman, L., & Krkeljas, J. (2020). Trust in farm data sharing: reflections on the EU code of conduct for agricultural data sharing. Ethics and Information Technology, 23(3), 185–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-020-09543-1

Ethics and Artificial Intelligence

Encyclopedia of Business and Professional Ethics / Jan 01, 2021

Ryan, M. (2021). Ethics and Artificial Intelligence. Encyclopedia of Business and Professional Ethics, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23514-1_1261-1

Big Data Ethics

Encyclopedia of Business and Professional Ethics / Jan 01, 2021

Ryan, M., & Fernandez Inguanzo, A. (2021). Big Data Ethics. Encyclopedia of Business and Professional Ethics, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23514-1_1262-1

Big Data Analytics in Australian Local Government

Smart Cities / Jul 09, 2020

Watson, R. B., & Ryan, P. J. (2020). Big Data Analytics in Australian Local Government. Smart Cities, 3(3), 657–675. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities3030034

Pro D3.js

Jan 01, 2019

Iglesias, M. (2019). Pro D3.js. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-5203-1

Hoe houd je rekening met hen?

Dagbesteding / Dec 01, 2018

Wapenaar, J. (2018). Hoe houd je rekening met hen? Dagbesteding, 39(12), 30–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41188-018-0193-y

Lessons from Preventive Medicine for the Precautionary Principle and Ecosystem Health

Ecosystem Health / Jun 01, 2000

Calver, M. C. (2000). Lessons from Preventive Medicine for the Precautionary Principle and Ecosystem Health. Ecosystem Health, 6(2), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1526-0992.2000.00010.x

The Politics of Actually Existing Unsustainability

Feb 23, 2012

Barry, J. (2012). The Politics of Actually Existing Unsustainability. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199695393.001.0001

Prime Movers of Globalization: The History and Impact of Diesel Engines and Gas Turbines

The European Legacy / Aug 01, 2013

Ryan, M. (2013). Prime Movers of Globalization: The History and Impact of Diesel Engines and Gas Turbines. The European Legacy, 18(5), 675–676. https://doi.org/10.1080/10848770.2013.804733

The Precautionary Principle, Libertarianism and Paternalism

Looking Within: Finding an Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship Lens / Jan 01, 2013

The Precautionary Principle, Libertarianism and Paternalism. (2013). Looking Within: Finding an Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship Lens, 23–31. https://doi.org/10.1163/9781848882515_004

Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture: Thinking Across the Boundaries of Technology, Social-Economic and Ethical Disciplines

SSRN Electronic Journal / Jan 01, 2022

Ryan, M., Isakhanyan, G., & Tekinerdogan, B. (2022). Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture: Thinking Across the Boundaries of Technology, Social-Economic and Ethical Disciplines. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4073534

Links & Social Media

Research Interests

Digital Ethics
Philosophy of Technology
Environmental Ethics
AI Ethics
Data Ethics
Management of Technology and Innovation
Computer Networks and Communications
Health Policy
Sociology and Political Science
Issues, ethics and legal aspects
Philosophy
Health (social science)
Communication
General Computer Science
Theoretical Computer Science
Marketing
Media Technology
General Environmental Science
Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
History
Environmental Chemistry
Artificial Intelligence
Human-Computer Interaction
General Medicine
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Geography, Planning and Development
Agronomy and Crop Science
Ecology
Food Science
Information Systems
Computer Science (miscellaneous)
Education
Business and International Management
Human Factors and Ergonomics
Library and Information Sciences
Computer Science Applications
General Engineering
Cultural Studies
Pharmacology (medical)
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