Sriram Krishnan, a Chennai-born software engineer and prominent AI expert, has been appointed as the senior White House policy advisor for artificial intelligence (AI) in the Trump 2.0 administration. Krishnan’s appointment adds him to the growing list of Indian Americans in key positions, including figures like Harmeet Kaur Dhillon, Jay Bhattacharya, and Vivek Ramaswamy.
Krishnan’s impressive career includes stints at major tech companies like Microsoft, Facebook (now Meta), Snap, and Twitter (now X), where he was recruited by Elon Musk to assist in Twitter’s transition after the billionaire’s takeover. The 41-year-old software engineer was later promoted to general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) in 2021, where he led investments in AI, consumer tech, and crypto.
Sriram Krishnan’s Rise in the Tech World
Krishnan’s journey began at SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) in Tamil Nadu. From there, he quickly made a name for himself in Silicon Valley. He has been an active investor, backing companies like SpaceX, Figma, Notion, and Scale.ai, and has served as an advisor to Indian fintech company Cred. Along with his wife, Aarthi Ramamurthy, Krishnan co-hosts “The Aarthi and Sriram Show,” which gained popularity during the pandemic and continues to attract listeners across platforms.
Concerns About Krishnan’s Appointment
Despite his success and influence, Krishnan’s appointment has raised concerns among some Americans. Critics, particularly from the US Tech Workers community, are questioning his views on immigration and the potential expansion of the H-1B visa program. One handle on X referred to his appointment as “a very questionable appointment” by Trump, stating that it was “Not America First at all.” These critics believe Krishnan may advocate for the removal of country cap quotas for Green Cards and the expansion of the H-1B program, potentially prioritizing immigration over the interests of American workers.
Support for Krishnan’s Appointment
Despite the criticism, many in the tech world have expressed support for Krishnan’s new role.
Andrew NG tweeted:
Additionally, Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho, shared his admiration for Krishnan:
The Growing Influence of Indian-Americans in the Trump Administration
Krishnan is just one of many Indians and Indian Americans making significant contributions to the Trump 2.0 administration. Other notable appointees include:
- Harmeet Kaur Dhillon as assistant attorney general in the US Department of Justice
- Jay Bhattacharya as the director of the National Institutes of Health
- Kashyap Patel as the director of the FBI
- Vivek Ramaswamy as the head of the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- Tulsi Gabbard as the director of National Intelligence
- Usha Chilukuri Vance, wife of vice president-elect JD Vance, as the first Indian-origin second lady of the US
These appointments highlight the growing influence of Indian Americans in shaping US policy, especially in key sectors like healthcare, technology, and intelligence.
