Vishal Sikka is a well-known Indian-American technology leader. As of September 24, 2025, he is the founder and CEO of Vianai, a company that works with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. Before this, he was the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of SAP AG and also the CEO of Infosys, a big Indian IT company. He is also a member of important boards like Oracle and BMW Group, showing his influence in the tech world.
Early Life And Education
Vishal Sikka was born in May 1967 in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh, India. His parents are Punjabi. His father worked for Indian Railways, and his mother was a teacher. When Vishal was six, his family moved to Vadodara, Gujarat. He went to Kendriya Vidyalaya in Rajkot and then Rosary High School in Vadodara,
He began his higher education in India at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda studying computer engineering. However, he moved to the United States for further studies. Vishal earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Syracuse University in New York. Then, he completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University in 1996. Famous AI pioneers like Marvin Minsky and John McCarthy guided him during his studies,
Early Career And Entrepreneurship
After finishing his Ph.D., Vishal worked at Xerox research labs. Later, he started his own companies. His first startup was iBrain, which was later bought by another company called PatternRX. His second startup was Bodha.com, which was acquired by Peregrine Systems. After this, he joined Peregrine as a Vice-President in platform technologies,
Vishal Sikka Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Salary, Net Worth, Wife, Children
Career at SAP
In 2002, Vishal joined SAP, a global software company. He led important projects focused on technology and innovation. One of his big achievements at SAP was leading the development of SAP HANA, an advanced in-memory database system. This system changed how data is processed and helped SAP grow. In 2007, Vishal became SAP’s first-ever CTO, a role where he shaped the company’s technology and innovation strategy,
Despite a serious accident in Costa Rica in 2008, which made him rethink his career, Vishal stayed at SAP and helped the company improve a lot. He became known as a visionary leader who could drive big changes,
Leadership at Infosys
In 2014, Vishal became the first non-founder CEO of Infosys, one of India’s largest IT companies. This was a big moment because no one from outside the company founders had led Infosys before. He worked to change the company by focusing on new technologies like AI and automation. Vishal introduced a plan called Vision 2020 to prepare Infosys for the future,
His leadership helped Infosys start moving toward more modern technology solutions. However, after three years, Vishal resigned from Infosys in August 2017, due to differences with the company’s board,
Current Work And Contributions
After leaving Infosys, Vishal founded Vianai in 2019. This company focuses on AI that helps businesses by improving human decisions with machines. Vianai also created its own programming language to help more developers and companies use AI easily. Vishal continues to be a major voice in AI development and innovation. He serves on several important boards including Oracle, BMW Group, and advises the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI
Personal Life And Recognition
Vishal lives in Silicon Valley, California with his wife and two sons. He has American citizenship. He is respected for his deep knowledge in AI and his ability to lead big technology companies. In 2017, India Today listed him as one of India’s 50 most powerful people because of his influence in technology and business,
Summary
Vishal Sikka’s life story shows how a young boy from a small town in India became a global technology leader. He used education, hard work, and vision to reach the top. From leading big software innovations at SAP to challenging traditions at Infosys and now pioneering AI with his startup, Vishal has made a strong mark in the tech world. His journey inspires many who want to grow and innovate in technology, especially in AI. His leadership shows the power of new ideas and persistence in achieving success.