Days after resigning as CEO of Zoho Corporation, Sridhar Vembu addressed speculation about his political aspirations. In a post on X, he dismissed the rumors with humor, saying, “I burst out laughing when I heard this!”

Clarifying his plans, Vembu emphasized his commitment to deep tech research. “I am preparing to present our AI R&D strategy in Austin next week. There is absolutely no time for politics,” he stated, adding that he has had “zero discussions” about entering the political arena.

Vembu, who was ranked India’s 39th richest person in 2024 with a net worth of $5.85 billion, stepped into his new role as Zoho’s chief scientist. He will now focus on AI advancements and rural development.

His exit led to a leadership reshuffle: Shailesh Kumar Davey became Group CEO, while Tony Thomas, Rajesh Ganesan, and Mani Vembu took charge of Zoho’s key divisions.

The tech visionary reaffirmed his dedication to pushing Zoho’s innovation forward, ensuring the company stays at the forefront of AI-driven solutions.