Who is Sriram Krishnan, Chennai-born techie named by Trump as AI advisor?

Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan, pictured above
| Photo Credit: X/@sriramk

On Sunday (December 22, 2024), U.S. president-elect Donald Trump named Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as senior policy advisor on AI. 

“Sriram Krishnan will serve as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy,” Mr. Trump said.

Also Read | Trump appoints Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as senior policy advisor on Artificial Intelligence

Mr. Krishnan will work with David Sacks, former PayPal COO and Trump’s pick to lead the White House policy on AI and Crypto.

“Working closely with David Sacks, Sriram will focus on ensuring continued American leadership in AI and help shape and coordinate AI policy across government, including working with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology,” he added as he made a number of other appointments on AI.

While Mr. Krishnan is not new to Silicon Valley, he has emerged as a pivotal figure in the tech landscape, particularly after billionaire Elon Musk bought Twitter and asked the Indian-American software engineer to run the platform temporarily in 2022.

Mr. Krishnan, originally from Chennai, India, has built a reputation as a strategic thinker and builder in Silicon Valley. His career trajectory includes influential roles at tech giants such as Facebook (now called Meta), Twitter, and Snap. At Facebook, Mr. Krishnan played a critical role in developing the Facebook Audience Network, which competes with Google’s ad technologies. During his first stint at Twitter, he oversaw product initiatives aimed at enhancing user engagement. 

Transitioning from operational roles, Mr. Krishnan joined Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capital firms, as a General Partner. At a16z, he focused on emerging technologies, particularly AI and cryptocurrency; areas that are now shaping the future of the tech industry. He also spearheaded the firm’s international expansion efforts, including the establishment of a London office, a16z’s first outside the United States. 

Krishnan’s view on AI

Mr. Krishnan’s role as senior AI policy advisor comes at a critical juncture, with AI increasingly influencing geopolitics, global competitiveness, and economic development. His work at a16z aligns closely with emerging trends in AI, including advancements in generative AI, personalised AI assistants, and the ethical considerations of deploying such technologies. 

In his capacity as a venture capitalist, during various talks, Mr. Krishnan highlighted the potential of AI to reshape industries. Speaking about the intersection of AI and business, he once remarked, “The companies that adopt AI not as a tool but as a foundational capability will define the next decade.” 

As the US positions itself as a leader in AI innovation, Mr. Krishnan’s expertise will be pivotal. He will play a critical role in advising the Trump administration on AI policy, alongside the AI and Crypto expert David Sacks. Together, they will work on areas that will balance innovation with regulation, a challenge central to maintaining the country’s competitive edge in AI.

What do critics say about Trump’s AI policy?

The appointment of Mr. Krishnan as senior AI policy advisor for AI has elicited a range of reactions from experts and commentators in the tech community. Some are apprehensive about the administration’s approach to AI policy, particularly regarding potential deregulation.

Others see the involvement of tech industry leaders like Messrs. Krishnan and Sacks in AI policy to be posing potential conflicts of interest. Given Mr. Krishnan’s background with companies like Microsoft, Twitter, and Meta, some observers worry that his appointment could lead to policies favouring large tech corporations over public interest.

The Financial Times notes that figures like David Sacks, appointed as AI and Crypto Czar, have histories that “often attract criticism,” suggesting that similar scrutiny may apply to Krishnan.

There is also concern about the implications of the administration’s AI policies on safety and ethical standards. While both major political parties have shown support for AI development, the specifics of implementation are crucial. Critics argue that without stringent safety measures, rapid AI advancement could lead to unintended consequences, including biases and ethical dilemmas.

In summary, while Sriram Krishnan’s appointment brings a wealth of industry experience to the administration, it also raises concerns among critics about potential deregulation, industry bias, and the adequacy of safety measures in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.