Prof. Dennis Hirsch, The Ohio State University, United States
Prof. Dennis D. Hirsch is a distinguished legal scholar and thought leader at the intersection of law, data governance, and artificial intelligence. 📚 He currently serves as Professor of Law at The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law and holds a cross-appointment as Professor in the Department of Computer Science, reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise. 🤖 His career spans over two decades, including a long tenure at Capital University Law School and international roles like Senior Fulbright Professor at the University of Amsterdam. 🌍 Renowned for his work on business data ethics, algorithmic accountability, and privacy law, Prof. Hirsch has built a strong legacy of impactful research, public service, and institutional leadership. He is also the founding director of the Program on Data and Governance, which unites legal scholars, computer scientists, and policymakers in shaping responsible innovation. 🧠 His commitment to academic rigor and societal impact makes him a pioneer in AI and legal ethics.
👨🏫 Profile
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🎓 Education
Prof. Hirsch’s academic journey is rooted in excellence and intellectual rigor. He earned his J.D. from Yale Law School, where he served as Articles Editor of the prestigious Yale Law Journal—a role held by only the most outstanding students. 🏛️ His undergraduate education was completed at Columbia University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in Anthropology and earning Phi Beta Kappa honors for academic distinction. 📘 His early legal career was equally elite, serving as a law clerk for the Hon. John M. Walker, Jr. at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 🏛️ These foundational experiences reflect a powerful blend of legal scholarship, analytical ability, and interdisciplinary curiosity that continue to shape his teaching and research today. 🎓 His academic pedigree from two Ivy League institutions uniquely positions him to guide policy and ethical frameworks at the highest level in both academic and governmental spheres. 📖
🧠 Experience
Prof. Hirsch’s professional experience reflects deep institutional involvement and innovation in legal academia and public policy. 💼 At The Ohio State University, he has held dual professorships in Law and Computer Science since 2016 and 2022 respectively. Earlier, he served at Capital University Law School for over two decades, including a leadership role as Associate Dean. 🏛️ Internationally, he contributed as a Senior Fulbright Professor and faculty organizer at the University of Amsterdam’s Institute for Information Law. 🇳🇱 He has led major research initiatives on AI governance and co-founded the Responsible Data Science Community of Practice at Ohio State, uniting over 100 interdisciplinary faculty. 🤝 His hands-on leadership in organizing conferences, initiating research collaborations, and mentoring the next generation of legal technologists highlights his commitment to innovation and impact in academic spaces. 📈 His cross-sectoral experience enables him to influence law, policy, and technology education at both national and global levels. 🌐
🔬 Research Interests
Prof. Hirsch’s research sits at the cutting edge of law, technology, and society. 💡 He explores the legal and ethical dimensions of data governance, artificial intelligence, algorithmic fairness, and privacy. 🔍 A core theme in his work is the development of “Business Data Ethics” as a framework for governing AI and predictive analytics in both the public and private sectors. 📊 He advocates for embedding values like fairness, transparency, and accountability into digital systems. His current research focuses on aligning algorithmic risk assessments with criminal justice values—a timely and necessary intervention in the AI ethics debate. ⚖️ Through publications, white papers, and collaborative reports, he influences lawmakers, data scientists, and corporate stakeholders on creating just and responsible technologies. 🧠 Prof. Hirsch’s work is a model of translational research, bridging theory and practice to shape equitable digital futures. His interdisciplinary lens empowers him to identify ethical gaps and propose durable policy solutions. 🧬
🏅 Awards and Honors
Prof. Dennis Hirsch’s outstanding contributions have earned him prestigious honors that recognize his leadership in legal scholarship and AI governance. 🏆 He received the Honorable Mention from the Future of Privacy Forum (2020, 2024) for groundbreaking work on ethical AI and risk assessments. ✨ In 2010, he was awarded a Senior Fulbright Professorship in American Culture at the University of Amsterdam—an honor bestowed on scholars with global impact. 🇺🇸🇳🇱 He also won the Simson Award for best scholarship at Capital University Law School and was recognized by the Board of Trustees for his professional achievements. 🥇 His work has been honored by national academic bodies, including the AALS and CPR Institute, for excellence in problem-solving and innovative teaching. 📜 These accolades reflect a career marked not only by prolific scholarship but also by practical impact and thought leadership in emerging areas of law and digital governance. 🌟
📚 Publication Top Notes
The glass house effect: Big Data, the new oil, and the power of analogy
The law and policy of online privacy: Regulation, self-regulation, or co-regulation
Protecting the inner environment: What privacy regulation can learn from environmental law
That’s unfair-or is it: Big data, discrimination and the FTC’s unfairness authority
Green business and the importance of reflexive law: What Michael Porter didn’t say
Symposium introduction: Second generation policy and the new economy
Bill and Al’s XL-ent Adventure: An Analysis of the EPA’s Legal Authority to Implement the Clinton Administration’s Project XL
In search of the holy grail: Achieving global privacy rules through sector-based codes of conduct
Going Dutch: Collaborative Dutch privacy regulation and the lessons it holds for US privacy law
Project XL and the special case: The EPA’s untold success story