Sriram Krishnan: From Silicon Valley to Washington's AI Helm

Indian-American Sriram Krishnan has been named the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence in Donald Trump’s administration. Born and raised in Chennai, India, Krishnan’s journey to this influential role reflects a remarkable career spanning tech giants and entrepreneurial ventures. Starting his professional path at Microsoft in 2005, Krishnan has since played pivotal roles at Twitter, Yahoo!, Facebook, and Snap. His extensive experience also includes collaborations with Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, further cementing his reputation as a key player in the tech world.

Shaping AI Policy in the U.S.

On Sunday, Donald Trump announced Krishnan’s appointment as a senior advisor in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Krishnan’s role will focus on reinforcing the United States’ leadership in artificial intelligence. According to the announcement, he will work closely with David Sacks, the newly appointed AI and Crypto Czar, to oversee AI policy development and coordination across government agencies. This includes advising the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology to address challenges and opportunities in the AI domain.

In his statement, Krishnan expressed gratitude, saying, “I’m honored to serve our country and ensure continued American leadership in AI, working closely with David Sacks.” Trump also highlighted Krishnan’s contributions as a founding member of Microsoft’s Windows Azure team, underlining his innovative mindset and technical expertise.

A Stellar Career Path: Early Beginnings in Chennai

Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Sriram Krishnan’s early life was shaped by his parents, with his father working in insurance and his mother managing the household. After earning a B.Tech degree in Information Technology from SRM Engineering College in Kattankulathur, he moved to the United States at the age of 21 in 2005. His entry into the tech world began at Microsoft, where he contributed to significant advancements, including the development of Windows Azure.

Rising Through Tech’s Elite