Ramayya Krishnan

Ramayya Krishnan is the W. W. Cooper and Ruth F. Cooper Professor of Management Science and Information Systems at Carnegie Mellon University, jointly appointed in Heinz College and the Department of Engineering and Public Policy. He served as Dean of Heinz College from 2009 to 2025 and has been a faculty member since 1988. He is a leading expert in digital transformation, data analytics, and AI policy, with extensive collaborations in government and industry.

His education includes:

• B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (1981)
• M.S. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, University of Texas at Austin (1983)
• Ph.D. in Management Science and Information Systems, University of Texas at Austin (1987)

Krishnan's research focuses on the responsible use of AI, data-driven workforce development, risk management in information systems, and the intersection of technology and public policy. His work bridges operations research, information systems, and policy design, with a strong emphasis on real-world impact. He has pioneered academic programs and research centers that integrate analytics with societal challenges.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in AI measurement science, policy design for emerging technologies, and the ethical deployment of data analytics in public and private sectors. These works emphasize safety, fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems, aligning with national priorities and global challenges.

His scientific awards and honors include:

• INFORMS Fellow
• AAAS Fellow
• Elected Member, National Academy of Public Administration
• Commissioner, Geotech Center of the Atlantic Council
• IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Award (2017)
• Y. Nayudamma Award (2015)
• GM Outstanding Distance Learning Faculty Award
• Martcia Wade Teaching Award
• Two-time recipient of Heinz College IT Teaching Award
• UPS George D. Smith Prize (awarded to Heinz College under his leadership)
• Appointed to the National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC), 2022

Krishnan has been a serial academic entrepreneur, founding the Master of Information Systems and Management program and the Decision Analytics and Systems (DAS) undergraduate minor. He has founded four externally funded research centers, raising nearly $100 million, including the Block Center for Technology and Society. He advises policymakers at the highest levels, including the U.S. President, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and international bodies like the Asian Development Bank and the World Economic Forum. His leadership in the CMU/NIST AI Measurement Science & Engineering Cooperative Research Center (AIMSEC) underscores his role in shaping national AI standards.

He leads or is affiliated with several key labs and teams:

• Block Center for Technology and Society (Director)
• CMU/NIST AI Measurement Science & Engineering Cooperative Research Center (AIMSEC) (Lead Research Coordinator)
• NIST AI Innovation Lab (NAIIL) (Contributing Leader)
• Global Agenda Council on Data Driven Development, World Economic Forum (Former Member)