Sriram Krishnan to depart White House AI advisor role

Sriram Krishnan is stepping down from his role as a senior policy advisor on artificial intelligence in the Trump administration. His departure is scheduled for the end of June. Krishnan, who previously worked as a partner at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, was one of several tech industry figures to join the administration. The founders of Andreessen Horowitz supported Trump during the 2024 election. Reflecting on his time in the White House, Krishnan stated that it was a major privilege to serve the American people and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity. He added that it was an honor to serve under President Donald Trump, noting that the president’s leadership was vital for America’s position in the AI race.

During his tenure, Krishnan worked closely for 18 months with David Sacks, the investor and podcaster who served as the administration’s AI and crypto czar before stepping down earlier this year. Sacks also became the co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, which serves as a US government advisory body. Krishnan praised Sacks’ ongoing advocacy for America to win the AI race, describing it as a crucial element of the administration’s policy efforts.

Following his departure from the White House, Krishnan plans to build new institutions to address challenges facing America and its allies. According to The Washington Post, he is planning to start an outside institution that will allow him to continue influencing Trump’s AI policy from the private sector. This policy has focused heavily on the administration’s AI Action Plan, which prioritized data center construction. Additionally, the Trump administration has endorsed the idea that the government could take an equity stake in major AI companies.

As he transitions out of his official role, Krishnan emphasized the scale of the challenges ahead. “Whether it is energy, data centers or a clear path for Americans to experience the benefits of AI, there are many tough issues we all need to navigate together,” said Krishnan, who has been serving as a senior policy advisor on artificial intelligence at the White House.

Why it matters

Krishnan’s transition from a senior White House role to an external institution signals a continued, albeit private-sector-led, effort to shape the administration’s AI agenda, particularly regarding data centers and government equity stakes.