Sriram Krishnan Appointed Senior White House AI Advisor by Donald Trump
Donald Trump, the US President-elect, has named Indian-American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author Sriram Krishnan as the Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In an official statement, Trump announced, “Sriram Krishnan will serve as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.”
Krishnan’s appointment highlights the administration’s focus on maintaining American leadership in AI.
He will collaborate closely with David Sacks, Trump’s newly designated White House AI and Crypto Czar, and work with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology to shape and coordinate AI policy across the government.
A Prominent Figure in Tech
Born in Chennai, India, Sriram Krishnan’s journey in technology began with a degree in Information Technology from SRM Valliammai Engineering College in Tamil Nadu.
In 2005, he moved to the US to join Microsoft as a founding member of the Windows Azure team, where he contributed to its APIs and services. He is also the author of Programming Windows Azure for O’Reilly.
Krishnan has held several high-profile roles in leading tech companies. At Facebook, he played a pivotal role in scaling the mobile app download ads business.
He later worked at Snap before joining Twitter (now X), where he collaborated with Elon Musk on restructuring the platform.
In 2021, Krishnan became a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and led the firm’s first international office in London in 2023.
Contributions and Vision
Throughout his career, Krishnan has focused on product development and scaling technology solutions. His expertise spans multiple domains, including fintech, SaaS, and consumer technology.
Krishnan is also a co-host of The Aarthi and Sriram Show, a podcast he runs with his wife, Aarthi Ramamurthy, featuring conversations with tech industry leaders.
In addition to his work in technology, Krishnan serves as an advisor to Indian fintech company Cred and has actively contributed to venture capital and startup ecosystems.
His thought leadership extends to social media, where he frequently shares insights on startups, technology trends, and venture funding.
Role in the Trump Administration
Krishnan’s appointment as Senior White House Policy Advisor for AI underscores his ability to navigate complex technological and policy landscapes.
In his new role, he will work on ensuring continued American leadership in AI. According to Trump, Krishnan’s efforts will focus on shaping AI policy and coordinating it across the government.
“Working closely with David Sacks, Sriram will help ensure continued American leadership in AI,” Trump emphasized.
Reactions to the Appointment
Following the announcement, Krishnan expressed gratitude on X, writing, “I’m honored to be able to serve our country and ensure continued American leadership in AI working closely with @DavidSacks.”
David Sacks echoed Trump’s sentiment, saying, “This extraordinary team is a testament to the amazing talent that President Trump is attracting to his Administration!”
The Indian-American community has also welcomed the news. Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora, stated, “We heartily congratulate Sriram Krishnan on this prestigious role.
His blend of expertise in public policy, international affairs, technology, and investing will be invaluable to the nation.”
Broader Indian-American Representation
Krishnan is among several Indian-Americans appointed to key roles in Trump’s administration.
Prominent appointments include Jay Bhattacharya as Director of the National Institutes of Health, Vivek Ramaswamy as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, and Kash Patel as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
These selections highlight the growing influence of Indian-Americans in US governance.
Shaping the Future of AI
Sriram Krishnan’s appointment signals the administration’s commitment to advancing AI policy and innovation. His diverse experience in technology and venture capital positions him as a critical asset in guiding the nation’s AI strategy.
As the US seeks to maintain its leadership in AI, Krishnan’s role will be pivotal in addressing challenges and shaping opportunities in this transformative field.