Indian-American engineer Arvind Raman has been appointed acting director of the US Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), taking on the additional responsibility following the resignation of the agency’s former leader, Chris Fall. The US Commerce Department confirmed that Raman will oversee the AI-focused organization while continuing to serve as director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The interim appointment comes as the federal government continues to strengthen its framework for artificial intelligence oversight, evaluation, and technical standards. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department has launched the search for a permanent director to lead CAISI, an organization that plays a central role in assessing AI technologies and supporting the development of national standards.
Commerce Department spokesperson Kristen Eichamer said Raman will remain in charge of CAISI until a permanent successor is selected. Chris Fall, who assumed leadership of the organization in April, stepped down after serving for approximately three months during a period marked by increased attention to US artificial intelligence policy.
CAISI is responsible for testing and evaluating AI systems while promoting standards that encourage the safe, reliable, and responsible deployment of emerging technologies. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into business, government, and everyday life, the agency’s work has grown in strategic importance.
Raman brings an extensive academic and engineering background to the role. Originally from India, he pursued higher education in the United States after earning a Bachelor of Technology degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. He later completed a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University and earned a doctorate in the same field from the University of California, Berkeley.
Throughout his research career, Raman specialized in areas including atomic force microscopy, electronics manufacturing, and human biomechanics. He also collaborated with NIST researchers on nanotechnology projects for many years, establishing strong professional ties with the institution before joining public service.
Before entering government, Raman spent more than two decades at Purdue University, where he served in several academic leadership positions. In 2023, he became the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering, earning recognition for advancing engineering research and education.
President Donald Trump nominated Raman to lead NIST in October 2025, and the US Senate confirmed his appointment in May 2026. He officially assumed office as NIST’s 18th director and the fifth Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology in June.
While Raman manages both NIST and CAISI, the Commerce Department is expected to finalize its search for a permanent CAISI director in the coming weeks. His temporary leadership comes at a time when the United States is placing greater emphasis on establishing trustworthy AI standards and strengthening oversight of rapidly evolving technologies.
