Indian-American tech veteran to shape national artificial intelligence policy alongside newly appointed AI Czar David Sacks in incoming administration
In a significant move signaling the incoming administration’s focus on artificial intelligence, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Sriram Krishnan, a former Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) partner and veteran tech executive, as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The appointment, announced through Trump’s Truth Social platform, positions Krishnan to work closely with David Sacks, the recently named White House Artificial Intelligence and Crypto Czar. Together, they will be tasked with maintaining America’s competitive edge in AI development and implementation across government agencies.
“Sriram will focus on ensuring continued American leadership in AI and help shape and coordinate AI policy across government,” Trump stated in his announcement, emphasizing the strategic importance of the role in his upcoming administration.
Krishnan’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for AI policy in the United States, following his departure from Andreessen Horowitz in November 2024. During his four-year tenure at the venture capital firm, he played a crucial role in identifying and supporting emerging technologies and startups in the AI sector.
The Indian-American executive brings a wealth of experience from Silicon Valley’s most influential companies. His career trajectory includes significant roles at Microsoft, where he was a founding member of the Windows Azure team, followed by leadership positions at Facebook (now Meta), Snapchat, and Twitter (now X). At these companies, Krishnan led various core consumer product teams and drove strategic initiatives.
His expertise extends beyond corporate leadership to entrepreneurship and investment. As a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, Krishnan built an impressive portfolio, investing in and advising high-growth companies including Figma, Notion, Scale.ai, and SpaceX. His close professional relationship with Elon Musk, particularly during the 2022 Twitter acquisition, adds another layer of insight into the complex intersection of technology, business, and policy.
Responding to his appointment on X, Krishnan expressed his commitment to the role: “I’m honored to be able to serve our country and ensure continued American leadership in AI working closely with David Sacks.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Krishnan has established himself as a thought leader in the tech industry through “The Aarthi and Sriram Show,” a podcast he co-hosts with his wife Aarthi Ramamurthy. The show has featured conversations with prominent tech leaders including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, demonstrating his deep connections within the industry.
Krishnan’s educational background includes a B.Tech in Information Technology from SRM Engineering College in Chennai, India, representing a full-circle journey from international student to shaping U.S. technology policy at the highest level of government.
