Giving Done Right: Harnessing AI for a Better World with Vilas Dhar

Episode Release Date: October 10, 2024

In this compelling episode of Giving Done Right, hosted by Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette from The Center for Effective Philanthropy, esteemed guest Vilas Dhar, president and trustee of the Patrick McGovern Foundation, delves deep into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Vilas brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and technological expertise, advocating for AI’s role in fostering equity and social justice.

1. Guest Background and Motivations

Vilas Dhar opens the conversation by sharing his personal journey and the driving forces behind his commitment to leveraging technology for social good.

Vilas Dhar [00:28]: "I was always just struck not by a question about technology, but about a question of fairness and justice. If we had all these cool toys, why couldn't we use it to help people make their lives better?"

Growing up in rural Illinois in the 1980s with family in rural India, Vilas witnessed stark contrasts between technological advancements and basic human challenges. This upbringing instilled in him a relentless pursuit of using technology to address fundamental issues of fairness and justice.

Vilas Dhar [02:17]: "If we have all these cool toys, why don’t we just use them to make people’s lives better?"

His passion is fueled by a dual sense of hope for a better future through technology and impatience with the status quo that perpetuates inequality and power imbalances.

2. AI and Philanthropy: Opportunities and Concerns

Vilas articulates the unique position of the Patrick McGovern Foundation in proactively shaping the future of AI rather than merely reacting to its developments.

Vilas Dhar [05:13]: "We’ve rarely, as institutions stepped in to say, how do we create, how do we architect what these technologies might mean for our future?"

He emphasizes that while AI presents vast opportunities, it also poses significant risks such as exacerbating inequalities and concentrating power. Vilas advocates for a balanced approach that harnesses AI’s potential for good while vigilantly mitigating its threats.

Vilas Dhar [06:28]: "We should be worried about if these tools create a possibility of a new future where we just continue the inequalities of the world we have today."

3. Innovative AI Tools for Nonprofits

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the Patrick McGovern Foundation’s pioneering AI initiatives designed to empower nonprofits. Vilas highlights the foundation's departure from traditional philanthropic approaches by integrating technical expertise directly into their support models.

Vilas Dhar [11:36]: "Organizations were saying, we want to partner. That’ll help us navigate the journey."

One notable innovation is an AI-driven financial due diligence tool that simplifies the grant application process for nonprofits, making it more accessible and efficient for both donors and recipients.

Vilas Dhar [15:18]: "Using generative AI to understand what those financials represent and then using inputs from the potential funder to delineate what kind of risks they're concerned about and to provide risk scoring."

This tool allows nonprofits to submit financials in any format, which AI then analyzes to generate risk assessments, thereby streamlining the grant evaluation process and fostering more informed decision-making among donors.

4. Navigating the Rapid Evolution of AI

The hosts raise concerns about the fast-paced nature of AI advancements and how donors and nonprofits can keep up with these changes.

Grace Nicolette [20:13]: "One of the challenges... how can donors and the nonprofits they support stay abreast of all these changes?"

Vilas acknowledges the difficulty but underscores the importance of continuous learning and public storytelling to build a collective understanding of AI’s implications.

Vilas Dhar [21:47]: "Curiosity is the name of the game. We can build a social movement around learning, expertise, and then opinion forming about AI together."

He highlights initiatives like online courses and collaborative efforts with media to disseminate knowledge and engage the public meaningfully.

5. Ensuring AI's Positive Impact and Mitigating Risks

Vilas stresses the importance of directing AI development towards socially beneficial applications rather than purely commercial interests.

Vilas Dhar [24:31]: "The challenge... most of today's investment... are trying to build AI use cases that propagate commercial activity."

He advocates for philanthropy to support AI projects that address critical social issues, such as climate resilience, healthcare access, and education, ensuring that AI serves as a tool for empowerment rather than exacerbating existing inequalities.

Vilas Dhar [27:32]: "Organizations that are already active in that space are asking the right questions… partner and listen with the nonprofits who are already asking these questions and putting forward solutions."

6. Balancing Mitigation and Opportunity in AI Philanthropy

The conversation navigates the delicate balance between mitigating AI’s negative impacts and fostering its positive potentials.

Phil Buchanan [38:07]: "As an individual donor, should I be more focused on mitigating the negatives or opening up the possibilities?"

Vilas responds by emphasizing a dual approach rooted in ethical consideration and optimism for a better future.

Vilas Dhar [38:57]: "Let’s use our moral compass and our heart and our ethics to guide what we do about it. Let’s think about what resources we contribute to the future."

He encourages donors to either support AI applications in specific social causes they are passionate about or engage in broader efforts to shape the ethical frameworks governing AI development.

7. Donor Engagement and Building an AI-Positive Ecosystem

Vilas concludes by outlining actionable steps for donors interested in contributing to a positive AI future. He highlights the importance of partnership, unrestricted funding, and active engagement in fostering an ecosystem where AI is used responsibly and effectively.

Vilas Dhar [40:40]: "The starting point is always curiosity and then it's engagement and then it's finding like-minded people to march together."

Donors are encouraged to collaborate with nonprofits already exploring AI-driven solutions, support initiatives that build digital literacy, and invest in projects that align AI development with social justice and equity.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode wraps up with Vilas inviting listeners to engage with him and the Patrick McGovern Foundation through various channels, emphasizing the collective effort required to steer AI towards socially beneficial outcomes.

Vilas Dhar [40:40]: "We'll support however we can. I know that you will as well. And I think in many ways this is the topic of the moment. We're not getting away from it anytime soon. So we'll be in this for a while together."

Phil and Grace reiterate the importance of informed and strategic philanthropic efforts in harnessing AI for good, encouraging listeners to explore resources available on The Center for Effective Philanthropy’s website and to participate in ongoing conversations about effective giving.

Notable Quotes:

• Vilas Dhar [00:28]: "If we had all these cool toys, why couldn't we use it to help people make their lives better?"

• Vilas Dhar [05:13]: "How do we create, how do we architect what these technologies might mean for our future?"

• Vilas Dhar [15:18]: "Using generative AI to understand what those financials represent and then using inputs from the potential funder to delineate what kind of risks they're concerned about and to provide risk scoring."

• Vilas Dhar [21:47]: "Curiosity is the name of the game. We can build a social movement around learning, expertise, and then opinion forming about AI together."

• Vilas Dhar [38:57]: "Let’s use our moral compass and our heart and our ethics to guide what we do about it."

Resources Mentioned:

• Patrick McGovern Foundation: Leading philanthropic efforts to integrate AI for social good.

• Center for Effective Philanthropy: cep.org and givingdoneright.org for more episodes and resources on effective giving.

Engage with Giving Done Right:

• Follow the podcast on your preferred platform and join the conversation to stay informed about effective philanthropic strategies in the evolving landscape of AI and beyond.

This episode serves as an inspiring roadmap for donors seeking to navigate the complexities of AI, offering both visionary insights and practical tools to ensure that philanthropic efforts contribute to a just and equitable future.