Arvind Krishna is a tech industry veteran and the CEO of IBM (the International Business Corporation, famously known as Big Blue), one of the largest and most influential technology companies in the world. With a career spanning over three decades, Krishna has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape through his expertise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology. He is a thought leader in the industry and is widely regarded for his innovative ideas and strategic vision. As the leader of IBM, Krishna is at the forefront of the company’s mission to usher in a new era of digital transformation and drive innovation for businesses across the globe.
Arvind Krishna – Education
Krishna’s life journey began in a Telugu-speaking family in the West Godavari District in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh. Born to an army officer, Major General Vinod Krishna and Aarathi Krishna, who dedicated her life to the welfare of army widows, Krishna completed his schooling at prestigious institutions such as Stanes Anglo Higher Secondary School in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu and St. Joseph Academy in Dehradun. In 1985, he graduated in Electrical Engineering with a BTech degree and then embarked on an incredible journey to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbania – Campaign, which he earned in 1991. This was just the beginning of a career that would shape the future of technology as we know it today.
Career & Accomplishments
He began his career at IBM in 1990. He spent the next 18 years at the Thomas J Watson Research Center, working his way up the ranks to become General Manager at IBM’s Information Management Software and System and Technology Group.
In 2009, Krishna was promoted to Senior Vice President of IBM Research, a position he held until he became Senior Vice President of IBM’s Cloud and Cognitive Software Division. He was crucial in building and expanding new markets for IBM in cutting-edge technologies, including AI, quantum computing, and blockchain. He was also a driving force behind IBM’s acquisition of Red Hat, an open-source software products provider, totaling a whopping $34 billion.
Krishna has taken the helm as Chairman of IBM since April 2020, marking his place amongst other illustrious Indian American CEOs, such as Shantanu Narayan and Sunder Pichai, of major US technology companies. However, his accomplishments extend beyond his impressive professional achievements.
He is also a prolific inventor, co-authoring numerous patents and lending his expertise as the IEEE and ACM journals editor. His extensive contributions to technical journals reflect his deep commitment to advancing the field. As a trailblazer in both the business and technology sectors, Arvind Krishna’s impact is far-reaching and continues to shape the future of these industries.
Mr. Krishna’s outstanding achievements have earned him distinguished alum awards from two of the world’s premium institutions – IIT Kanpur and the University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign. His exceptional leadership and influence have also been recognized as the “Most Influential Executive” in 2021.
These accolades highlight his exceptional talent and success and demonstrate his unwavering dedication to excellence and his commitment to driving positive change in his field. Mr. Krishna is a true inspiration to aspiring professionals and a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
