Sriram Krishnan to depart White House AI role, launch independent policy institute
Krishnan, who helped shape the administration’s pro-deployment AI strategy, will leave his post at the end of June to establish a new outside institution focused on data centres and energy.
Sriram Krishnan, a senior policy advisor on artificial intelligence in the Trump administration, is set to leave his role at the White House at the end of June. The former tech executive and venture capitalist stated he is establishing a new independent institution to continue influencing US AI policy, with a specific focus on energy infrastructure, data centres, and the economic benefits of AI for Americans.
Krishnan, who previously held leadership positions at Microsoft, Twitter, Yahoo, Facebook, and Snap, was a partner at Andreessen Horowitz before joining the administration. In a statement posted on X, he described his tenure as a privilege and credited President Donald Trump’s leadership for maintaining America’s position in the global AI race. He highlighted the administration’s AI Action Plan, which prioritised the rapid construction of data centres over safety-first regulation.
During his time in the White House, Krishnan worked closely with David Sacks, the former AI and crypto czar who stepped down earlier in 2026 to become co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Krishnan noted that Sacks’ advocacy for American competitiveness in AI had been crucial to their shared efforts. The administration’s approach included executive orders challenging state-level AI regulations and exploring the concept of the government taking an equity stake in major AI companies.
According to The Washington Post, Krishnan plans to launch this outside institution while maintaining a role in influencing policy. He indicated that the new entity will tackle significant challenges for America and its allies, addressing complex issues such as energy supply and the deployment of AI infrastructure. The specific structure, name, or funding model for this new organisation has not been disclosed.
Krishnan’s departure marks the exit of another prominent tech industry figure from the second Trump administration. His tenure coincided with a regulatory environment that faced industry pushback against safety-focused oversight, leading to delayed and narrowed executive orders on AI oversight. As he transitions to the private sector, Krishnan aims to navigate the tough issues surrounding the next phase of AI development and deployment.
