PeopleofSuperintelligence

Public voice

Vilas Dhar

Also known as Vilas S. Dhar

Vilas Dhar is president of the McGovern Foundation, one of the largest global funders of AI for public purpose. He earned dual bachelor's degrees in biomedical engineering and computer science from the University of Illinois, a JD from NYU School of Law, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2016. In 2020 he became the foundation's inaugural president, and before joining it he had founded a nonprofit incubator and a public-interest law firm. The World Economic Forum named him a Young Global Leader in 2022. He was appointed to the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body on AI in October 2023.

Now at
Patrick J. McGovern Foundation

Timeline

  1. 2016

    A Harvard Kennedy School MPA

    He completes a Master in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2016. His other degrees include a JD from NYU School of Law and dual bachelor's degrees in biomedical engineering and computer science from the University of Illinois.

  2. 2019

    A Bellagio convening on AI

    He takes part in the Bellagio convening “AI + Philanthropy: Better Giving in the Data Age” in 2019.

  3. 2020

    Inaugural president of a foundation

    He becomes the inaugural president of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation in 2020. Before joining the foundation, he founds and leads a nonprofit incubator and a public-interest law firm.

  4. 2022

    A Young Global Leader

    The World Economic Forum names him a Young Global Leader in 2022, honoring his contributions to global dialogue on responsible innovation.

  5. October 2023

    Member of the UN AI body

    He is appointed to the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body on AI in October 2023. The UN's member list names him as president of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.

  6. As of October 2026

    President of the McGovern Foundation

    He is president of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, which is one of the largest global funders of AI for public purpose.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of Vilas Dhar yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. Vilas Dhar MC/MPA 2016 wants to use technology as a democratizing force | Harvard Kennedy School hks.harvard.edu. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. Berggruen Institute berggruen.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Vilas Dhar on Transforming Power through AI | RF rockefellerfoundation.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation Appoints President Vilas S. Dhar to Lead New Vision of AI and Data for Good - Patrick J. McGovern Foundation mcgovern.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. Vilas Dhar | National Center for Family Philanthropy ncfp.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. About President Vilas S. Dhar - Patrick J. McGovern Foundation mcgovern.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  7. Vilas Dhar - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  8. UN Secretary-General launches AI Advisory Body on risks, opportunities, and international governance of artificial intelligence | United Nations in India india.un.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  9. Vilas Dhar | Carnegie Council on Ethics in International Affairs carnegiecouncil.org. Checked 15 October 2026.