About Vasant Dhar
Print Bio (100 words)
Vasant Dhar, Ph.D., is a Professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business and the Center for Data Science, and one of the world’s leading authorities on prediction, data science, and trust in AI. A pioneer in machine learning, he brought algorithmic trading to Wall Street in the early 1990s. Dhar’s research explores when to trust machines with decisions and how to govern AI responsibly. He hosts the “Brave New World” podcast, interviewing thought leaders on technology, ethics, and humanity. His forthcoming book, “Thinking With Machines: The Brave New World of AI” (Nov. 18, 2025), offers a practical guide for thriving in an AI-driven world.
Connect with Professor Dhar: VasantDhar.com
Broadcast Bio (50 words)
Vasant Dhar, Ph.D., is a Professor at NYU Stern and the Center for Data Science, a pioneer of machine learning on Wall Street, and host of the “Brave New World” podcast. His forthcoming book, “Thinking with Machines” (Nov. 18, 2025), explores when to trust AI — and when humans must stay in control.
Broadcast Bio (200 words)
Vasant Dhar, Ph.D., is one of the world’s leading voices helping society navigate the AI revolution. A Professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business and the Center for Data Science, Dhar pioneered machine learning on Wall Street in the early 1990s, building some of the earliest systematic trading strategies and transforming how financial markets use data to make decisions.
Today, his research focuses on one of the most pressing questions of our time: When should we trust machines to make decisions — and when must we keep humans in the loop? His work spans finance, health care, media, and consumer technology, providing a framework for understanding and governing AI responsibly.
In 2024, Dhar co-authored “Data Science in Olfaction,” a landmark paper introducing “oMNIST,” one of the first standardized neural datasets for smell — a breakthrough that could allow machines to detect early biomarkers for diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s years before symptoms appear.
He is also the host of “Brave New World,” a podcast where he interviews Nobel laureates, CEOs, and thought leaders about the future of technology and ethics. Dhar’s forthcoming book, “Thinking With Machines” (Nov. 18, 2025), offers a practical guide to thriving in an AI-driven world.
Connect with Professor Dhar: VasantDhar.com
Host Intro/Question:
“Your book is about knowing when to trust AI — and your research suggests smell might be the next big frontier. How could that change everyday life?”
In-Depth Bio (500 words)
Vasant Dhar, Ph.D. has spent his career helping the world understand — and trust — machines. A Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and the Center for Data Science, Dhar is one of the world’s leading authorities on prediction, data science, and trust in AI. His work focuses on one central question: When should we trust machines to make decisions, and when must we keep humans in the loop?
Dhar is widely recognized as a pioneer who brought machine learning to Wall Street in the early 1990s. He built some of the earliest systematic trading strategies, transforming how financial markets harness data to make decisions — work that still shapes algorithmic trading today. This foundation in finance gave Dhar a deep understanding of risk, governance, and the critical importance of knowing when to trust automated systems.
His research now spans finance, health care, media, and consumer technology, applying that same risk/reward lens to today’s AI revolution. In 2024, Dhar co-authored “Data Science in Olfaction,” a groundbreaking paper introducing “oMNIST,” one of the first standardized neural datasets for smell. This work represents a turning point in AI research — enabling machines to recognize and classify smells the way they already process images or speech. The implications are profound: Olfactory AI could one day serve as an early-warning system for diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s (where smell loss is often the first detectable sign), as well as for diabetes, infections, and other metabolic disorders.
Dhar is also the creator and host of the “Brave New World” podcast, where he interviews Nobel laureates, CEOs, policymakers, and scientists about the future of technology and humanity. His clear, approachable style makes complex topics like AI ethics, automation, and governance accessible to general audiences. The podcast has become a go-to resource for anyone seeking clarity on how technology is reshaping society.
His forthcoming book, “Thinking With Machines: The Brave New World of AI” (Wiley, November 18, 2025), distills decades of research into a practical guide for business leaders, policymakers, parents, and everyday citizens. Dhar explores how AI systems “think,” when we should rely on their predictions, and how to design a future where humans and machines work together safely and effectively.
Beyond academia, Dhar is a frequent commentator for outlets including The New York Times, Financial Times, and MIT Technology Review. He speaks at major conferences such as SXSW, NeurIPS, and the World Economic Forum, offering insights on explainability, trust, and the societal impacts of AI.
Outside of his professional work, Dhar recently married and is enjoying life as a newlywed — a fresh chapter of partnership and adventure. Fluent in both Hindi and English, he connects with audiences worldwide, bringing a global perspective to the most urgent conversations about AI and its role in our future.
Connect with Professor Dhar: VasantDhar.com