President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Chennai-born Indian-American entrepreneur and venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Known for his close ties to tech magnate Elon Musk, Krishnan previously served as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and is highly respected in Silicon Valley and the Indian-American community.
In his new role, Krishnan will collaborate with David Sacks, Trump’s crypto and AI czar, to steer America’s AI leadership. His responsibilities include shaping AI policy across government agencies and consulting with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. On X, Krishnan expressed his gratitude to Trump, saying he is honored to contribute to ensuring America’s AI dominance.
Krishnan’s career includes leading product teams at major tech firms such as Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter, and Snap. He also co-hosts the podcast “The Aarthi and Sriram Show” with his wife, Aarthi Ramamurthy. His appointment has been widely praised, with Silicon Valley executive Rishi Kumar calling it a critical step in integrating the region’s innovation-driven mindset into federal AI policy. Kumar noted that aligning public and private sector expertise is essential to maintain America’s edge in AI innovation while ensuring ethical practices.
Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora, congratulated Krishnan, emphasizing his ability to blend public policy, technology, and international affairs. Entrepreneur Debarghya Das highlighted Krishnan’s role as a model for first-generation immigrants shaping the nation’s future.
Krishnan’s appointment reflects a broader recognition of AI’s role as a strategic global pillar, and his expertise will be vital in developing forward-thinking policies to maintain America’s technological and competitive leadership in AI.
