Washington D.C: In a major move underscoring America's focus on artificial intelligence (AI) leadership, The U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Indian-origin entrepreneur and technology expert Sriram Krishnan as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The announcement, made via Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, highlighted Krishnan’s role in shaping AI policy across government sectors. Sriram Krishnan will prioritize maintaining America's leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) while playing a key role in shaping and harmonizing AI policies across government agencies. His responsibilities include collaborating with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology to drive innovation and strategic decision-making in AI,  Trump said.

Krishnan’s Journey to the White House

Born and raised in Chennai, India, Sriram Krishnan comes from a middle-income Tamil family. His early fascination with technology began in the late 1990s when, despite limited resources and no internet access, he taught himself to code. This passion led him to earn a degree in Information Technology from SRM Engineering College, Anna University, in 2005.

Krishnan’s career trajectory is marked by roles at some of the world’s most influential tech companies. As a founding member of Windows Azure at Microsoft, he laid the groundwork for a service that revolutionized cloud computing. At Facebook, he spearheaded the Facebook Audience Network, which competes directly with Google’s ad technologies. His tenure at Twitter saw him implement groundbreaking product innovations that significantly boosted user engagement.

In 2021, Krishnan joined Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) as a general partner, directing investments in futuristic technologies like Web3 and AI.

Beyond Technology: A Multifaceted Personality

Krishnan’s influence extends beyond his professional achievements. Together with his wife, Aarthi Ramamurthy, he co-hosts The Aarthi and Sriram Show, a podcast featuring prominent figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. The show has garnered millions of downloads, cementing the couple’s reputation as a "tech power duo."

The family resides in London but remains deeply connected to global technology and policy developments.

From Chennai to the Global Stage

Krishnan’s journey from a self-taught coder in Chennai to a thought leader in AI exemplifies perseverance and vision. His insights into technology, coupled with his global experience, position him as a key figure in advancing America’s AI strategies.