SHERPA aims to address the ethical dimensions of Smart Information Systems (artificial intelligence and big data). SIS may yield lots of benefits, yet it raises many ethical and legal issues and it is important to achieve a balance between the advantages of SIS and the ethical issues involved. In this field of competing rights and interests this is only possible with the expertise of a large variety of stakeholders who will be consulted to gather their views on existing threats, risks and possible solutions to achieve a better balance between the potential benefits of the new technologies and their impact on ethics and human rights.
Stakeholders offer different perspectives and varying expertise related to how different Smart Information Systems impact ethics and human rights. It is important to integrate these views into the project to ensure that the project encompasses all current and future technological challenges. For the purpose of the project, the focus will be on representatives of industry and civil society organisations, policy, professional bodies, researchers and media.
Based on the stakeholder views, SHERPA will develop guidelines for research and innovation in and with Smart Information Systems.
SHERPA will engage with stakeholders in two ways:
- The Stakeholder Board, is a permanent body and an ongoing source of feedback for SHERPA. It comprises individuals who are thought leaders in the various areas of relevance to the project. The stakeholder board members will comment and contribute to all activities of the project
- The Network of stakeholders, will be constituted by around 1000 stakeholders.
The main activities of the network of stakeholders will be:
- 45 individual semi-structured interviews,
- an online survey with around 1000 respondents, and
- a Delphi study with 60 experts.
SHERPA is a great opportunity for stakeholders to bring their interests and perspectives in the discussion on Smart Information Systems. To maximize impact the SHERPA consortium will undertake targeted activities to ensure that the findings and results of the project are delivered to its stakeholders, and pave the way for future policy-building that adequately address ethical and human rights concerns of current and future SIS technological innovations.
SHERPA aims to address the ethical dimensions of Smart Information Systems (artificial intelligence and big data). The SHERPA project will guide the ongoing debate and develop actionable recommendations to make sure that SIS is for the public good. This is not possible without the expertise of stakeholders.
Do you want to get involved and bring in your expertise? Then fill in the provided form and become a member of the SHERPA network. You can participate in an online survey and interviews.

Beate Degen
Independent Management & Advisory Committee
IMAC (Independent Management Advisory Committee) and ITU (International Telecommunication Union)

Bramjan Mulder
De Staffing Groep
Expert Solutions and eSkills

Carl Wiper
Information Commissioner’s Office
Group Manager, Strategic Policy Projects

Cheryl Miller Van Dÿck
Digital Leadership Institute
Digital Inclusion – Women-led Startup

Chiara Giovannini
ANEC (European Consumer Coice in Standardisation)
Deputy Secretary General, Senior Policy and Innovation Manager

Declan Brady
Council of European Professional Informatics Societies
IT Professionalism

Félicien Vallet
Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés
Privacy Technologist

Galit Wellner
Tel Aviv University
Philosophy of Digital Technology

Inigo De Miguel Beriain
University of the Basque Country. Basque Foundation for Science
Ikerbasque Research Professor/Bioethics, Medical Law

James Rule
Center for the Study of Law and Society, University of California
Researcher and writer on privacy and personal information

Johnny Soraker
Google Inc
AI Principles Ethicist

Jörg Wälder
COGITANDA Dataprotect AG
CEO COGITANDA Group / Protection of IT Systems and Data

Julian Kinderlerer
University of Cape Town
Emeritus Professor of Intellectual Property Law

Julie Dawson
Yoti
Director of Regulatory & Policy

Krista Varantola
University of Tampere
Research Integriy

Luke Dormehl
Freelance technology journalist and author
Technology journalist and author with a particular focus on AI and other emerging technologies

Maja Brkan
Faculty of Law, Maastricht University
Associate Professor / fundamental rights, EU constitutional law, data protection, privacy

Marc Salomon
University of Amsterdam
Decision Science / Operations Research

Maria de Kleijn
Kearney
Principal

Marie-Valentine Florin
EPFL - L'Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
Risk Governance

Martijn Scheltema
Pels Rijcken and Erasmus University Rotterdam
Attorney-at-law, partner and Professor (Civil Law)

Mick Yates
University of Leeds
Visiting Professor, Interdisciplinary Ethics Applied; Big Data Consultant; Leadership Consultant

Mihalis Kritikos
Institute of European Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
EU Technology Law, Law, Ethics and science

Sebastian Wieczorek
SAP SE
Vice President and Business Lead for SAP Data Intelligence

Shobaná Iyer
Swan Chambers
Barrister (Commercial & Chancery Practice) with expertise in IP, Technology & Data Protection Law

Susan Perry
The American University of Paris
Professor of Politics and International Law

Susana Solis Perez
European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament

Virginia Dignum
Umeå University
Professor / Chair of Social and Ethical Artificial Intelligence

Yoan Miche
Nokia Bell Labs
Cyber Security Research