Nand Mulchandani quits the CIA to pursue new endeavors in Silicon Valley and elsewhere after leading the way in tech integration.

After six years in public service, Nand Mulchandani has stepped down as the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He was sworn in as the first CTO of the CIA on June 21, 2022, and he left the agency on June 21, 2025, which was precisely three years later.

In a LinkedIn post announcing his departure, Mulchandani expressed his excitement about embarking on new adventures. During his tenure, he focused on integrating advanced technology into the United States' national security framework. Prior to joining the CIA, he served as the CTO of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center at the Department of Defense, which later evolved into the Chief Digital and AI Office.

As one of the few senior leaders from Silicon Valley working in Washington, Mulchandani aimed to leverage his business and technology background to transform the agency’s approach. He observed that technology is increasingly shaping the fields of intelligence and national security.

In his post, Mulchandani mentioned that he is adjusting to civilian life and plans to return to the tech sector as an advisor, board member, and entrepreneur, while also dedicating time to academia.