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Sriram Krishnan, who has served as the senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, is stepping down from the role. Rather than exiting AI policy entirely, Krishnan is moving to launch a new independent institution focused on continuing to influence the direction of U.S. AI strategy under the Trump administration.
Krishnan joined the Trump White House in early 2025 as its primary AI policy voice, helping shape the administration's approach to AI development, regulation, and competitiveness. His departure does not appear to signal a break from the policy world.
The new institution he is reportedly founding would operate outside of government but maintain close ties to the administration's AI agenda. The goal, according to reporting, is to keep shaping U.S. AI policy from an external position rather than from within the executive branch.
Key points:
The shift mirrors a broader pattern in Washington where influential advisors leave formal government roles to build think tanks or advocacy organizations that continue driving policy from the outside.
For MSPs and telecom resellers, personnel changes at the top of federal AI policy may feel distant, but they have real downstream effects. The regulatory and procurement environment for AI tools, including voice AI and automated communications platforms, is directly shaped by advisors like Krishnan.
His move to an external institution could actually signal more active policy engagement, not less. Think tanks and independent policy organizations often have more flexibility to engage industry, which could mean more structured input from the private sector, including the channel, into AI governance frameworks.
If the new institution pushes for compliance-friendly AI standards, that could ease the regulatory uncertainty that currently makes some MSP clients hesitant about deploying AI voice tools. Conversely, a shift in policy direction could introduce new requirements that affect how automated calling and AI agent platforms operate.
The practical takeaway: keep watching how federal AI policy evolves in 2025 and 2026, because rules around AI-powered communications are still being written.
Watch for announcements on the name, funding, and focus areas of Krishnan's new organization, as that will clarify how much influence he retains over federal AI priorities. MSPs building AI service practices should treat the policy environment as fluid and factor potential compliance changes into their planning.
For the full story, read the original article on TechCrunch AI.