Ryan Wright is the Rolls-Royce Commonwealth Professor of Commerce, Co-Director of AI Research @ UVA, and Special Advisor to the Provost on AI Research at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. He previously served as Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Research, and Area Coordinator for IT & Innovation.

In his current roles, Professor Wright leads University-wide and McIntire-based strategic initiatives in artificial intelligence research and academics, oversees collaborative AI efforts across disciplines, and advises on the advancement of AI strategy and governance at UVA.

He teaches courses in innovation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity—subjects closely aligned with his research exploring how emerging technologies, including AI and cybersecurity, influence organizational behavior, decision-making, and societal outcomes.

Professor Wright has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications in leading academic journals such as MIS Quarterly; Information Systems Research; Journal of the AIS; and Journal of MIS. He has secured over $3.5 million in research funding from the National Science Foundation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and other institutions. His contributions have earned numerous awards for excellence in research, teaching, and service at the disciplinary, university, and school levels.

A frequent keynote speaker at national and international conferences, Professor Wright regularly addresses topics at the intersection of artificial intelligence, innovation, and society. His research has been featured in Harvard Business Review; The Washington Post; Forbes; Fast Company; USA Today; Psychology Today; Seattle Post-Intelligencer; The Australian; and other outlets.