AI with a Mission: Vahan’s Madhav Krishna Named One of India’s Most Influential Voices in Artificial Intelligence
Vahan uses AI-powered technology to connect job seekers with employers directly through WhatsApp, streamlining the recruitment process with automated matching and communication.
Madhav Krishna, founder and CEO of Vahan AI, has been named to Analytics India Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in AI in India for 2025. At a time when much of the AI conversation centers around enterprise efficiency and elite applications, Krishna is carving a different path—one that uses AI to create access and opportunity for India’s underserved workers.
Vahan AI, based in India, operates a job-matching platform designed specifically for blue- and grey-collar workers. With more than 3 million placements to date, the company uses AI to close the gap between job seekers and employment in sectors like logistics, delivery, BPOs, and retail—fields where hiring often bypasses formal networks, resumes, or even digital literacy.
Built for Impact, Not Just Scale
Krishna, who studied at Columbia University and worked in global tech before returning to India, built Vahan to solve a specific problem: helping people in the informal economy find stable work. His machine learning systems don’t rely on polished data or standardized inputs. Instead, they’re designed to work with unstructured behavior, voice inputs, and minimal user data, making the platform radically accessible to workers regardless of background or education.
“AI has immense potential to create efficiency, but it also has the power to uplift,” Krishna shared in past interviews. His approach to AI is deeply inclusive, and that’s what sets him apart in India’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.
A New Kind of AI Leader
The Analytics India Magazine list includes researchers, public sector leaders, and deeptech founders, but Krishna’s inclusion represents a growing trend: building AI not just for speed or accuracy—but for social mobility and economic resilience. His work at Vahan shows how AI can serve those too often left behind in digital innovation.
Listen to Shafiq Khartabil with Madhav Krishna on the Venture Everywhere podcast: Hire Calling. Now on Apple & Spotify and check out all our past episodes here!
