Who is Sriram Krishnan? Indian-origin Trump AI adviser backed by Elon Musk to resign from White House

Sriram KrishnanThe Indian-American tech executive who serves as the White House’s senior policy adviser on artificial intelligence will step down at the end of June 2026 after serving 18 months in the Trump administration.Krishnani is a former Silicon Valley venture capitalist and product leader at companies including Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo. He was appointed in early 2025 as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to develop a national artificial intelligence strategy. He played a central role in designing the government’s AI policy framework, including streamlining the federal government’s adoption of AI systems and developing a unified national regulatory approach.His appointment attracted political attention from the start. He has faced backlash from parts of the MAGA movement because of his background as an Indian-born tech executive and concerns about immigration and Silicon Valley’s influence on government decision-making. Still, he has received strong backing from prominent tech leaders, including Elon Musk, who backed him to join the government’s artificial intelligence policy team.During his tenure, Krishnan worked closely with senior White House officials to advance the administration’s artificial intelligence agenda. He has helped draft policy initiatives aimed at improving U.S. AI competitiveness, including proposals for regulatory reform and reducing fragmented state-level AI laws. He also contributes to broader strategic discussions on national security, innovation, and global competition focusing on the development of artificial intelligence.Officials credit him with helping develop a more centralized federal approach to AI governance. His work includes participation in international events and policy discussions aimed at strengthening the United States’ position in the global race for artificial intelligence, particularly against China.Krishnan’s departure comes as the U.S. government continues to expand its engagement in artificial intelligence policy, including a framework for cybersecurity testing of advanced artificial intelligence systems and increased coordination with private technology companies.Krishnan has described his time in the White House as “the honor of a lifetime” in public statements and said he plans to continue working outside government on big challenges related to artificial intelligence.Born in Chennai, India, in 1984, he moved to the United States and built a career in the technology industry before becoming a venture capitalist at Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s most influential investment firms.