Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and author Sriram Krishnan as the senior White House policy advisor on artificial intelligence(AI). In an official statement announcing key appointments, Trump said, “Sriram Krishnan will serve as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.”
The president-elect emphasised Krishnan’s pivotal role in maintaining the United States’ global leadership in AI innovation. “Working closely with David Sacks, Sriram will focus on ensuring continued American leadership in A.I., and help shape and coordinate A.I. policy across Government, including working with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology,” Trump added. Highlighting Krishnan’s career, he noted that Krishnan was a founding member of Windows Azure at Microsoft, where he started his professional journey.
A Glimpse into Sriram Krishnan’s Journey
Born and educated in India, Krishnan graduated from SRM Valliammai Engineering College in Tamil Nadu. His illustrious career began at Microsoft, where he significantly contributed to Windows Azure, developing its APIs and services. He later authored the book Programming Windows Azure for O’Reilly, which is considered a key resource in cloud computing.
Krishnan’s career trajectory includes impactful roles at major tech companies. He joined Facebook in 2013, playing a crucial role in scaling the platform’s mobile app download ads business. He then worked at Snap and subsequently joined Twitter (now X), where he collaborated with Elon Musk to restructure the platform before leaving in 2019.
In 2021, Krishnan became a general partner at the renowned venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). In 2023, he led the firm’s first international office in London, expanding its global footprint. In addition to his corporate roles, Krishnan is an active investor and advisor to Indian fintech giant Cred. He also co-hosts a popular podcast, The Aarthi and Sriram Show, with his wife Aarthi Ramamurthy.
Honored to Serve
After the announcement, Krishnan expressed his gratitude on X, stating, “I’m honored to be able to serve our country and ensure continued American leadership in AI working closely with @DavidSacks.” David Sacks, who is also part of Trump’s AI team, praised the selection process, describing the appointments as a reflection of the exceptional talent attracted to the administration.
Krishnan’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, as AI continues to transform industries and redefine global competition. With his vast experience and expertise, Krishnan is poised to play a key role in shaping U.S. AI policy and ensuring the nation’s dominance in this transformative field.