Introduction

Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho, praised Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan on his recent appointment as the White House’s Senior Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence. The announcement, made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Truth Social, emphasizes Krishnan’s role in shaping AI policies at the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

Vembu’s Early Admiration for Sriram Krishnan

Talent Recognized in 2004
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Vembu reminisced about his first encounter with Krishnan’s work. Back in 2004, while Krishnan was graduating from SRM University, Vembu came across his programming blog, one of India’s earliest tech blogs.

Microsoft Hired Him First
Impressed by Krishnan’s skills, Vembu wanted to recruit him for Zoho but discovered that Microsoft had already extended an offer.

Sustained Connection
Over the years, Vembu and Krishnan stayed in touch as Krishnan advanced in his career, eventually moving to Silicon Valley and becoming an entrepreneur.

A Brilliant Choice for AI Policy

Vembu’s Acknowledgment
Vembu expressed his belief that Krishnan is a stellar choice for Trump’s technology team. “President Trump has found a great talent for his technology team!” he wrote.

Krishnan’s Response
In response to Vembu’s congratulatory message, Krishnan expressed gratitude, stating, “You’ve been an inspiration to @aarthir and me (and countless others) for over 20 years.”

Sriram Krishnan’s appointment as Senior Policy Advisor on AI highlights his remarkable career journey and technical expertise. His new role underscores the increasing prominence of Indian-American leaders in the global tech landscape.