Vilas Dhar is a philanthropist, technologist, and global leader in artificial intelligence for social impact. As President and Trustee of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, he leads a $1.5 billion philanthropy dedicated to harnessing AI and data science to address urgent global challenges, from climate change to public health to digital equity. 

Vilas is a champion for human-centered AI, advocating for policies and technologies that prioritize equity, inclusion, and community empowerment. He is the US government-nominated expert to the Global Partnership on AI, a member of the OECD AI Futures Working Group and the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on AI, and has served as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence. He advises governments, multilateral institutions, and regulatory bodies on AI policy, digital governance, and ethical technology. 

 His LinkedIn Learning course on AI ethics has reached over 500,000 learners worldwide, equipping global changemakers with the knowledge to use technology responsibly. 

With a background in human rights, technology, and global policy, Vilas holds a J.D. from NYU School of Law, an M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School, and dual degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Illinois. 
 

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