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US Treasury secretary emerges as frontrunner for Trump’s AI czar role
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emerged as the frontrunner to serve as President Donald Trump's next artificial intelligence czar, according to three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Semafor. The potential appointment comes just days after Trump announced plans to establish an "AI Force" amid growing concerns about the risks posed by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence technology. If confirmed, Bessent would take on a high-profile coordination role at a time when the administration is ramping up its focus on AI governance and strategy. The move signals the administration's intent to elevate AI policy to a senior-level priority.
Bessent is not the only name under consideration for the position. Other candidates include Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Scott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management and a former managing partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz; and National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross. The breadth of the candidate pool reflects the wide-ranging nature of the AI czar role, which is expected to coordinate policy across multiple government agencies and sectors.
The position became vacant after David Sacks, Trump's original AI and crypto czar, left earlier this year upon reaching his service limit as a special government employee. Sacks continues to advise the president through the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, maintaining an ongoing influence on technology policy. Trump first announced his plans for an AI czar and an AI Force in a Truth Social post on September 19, though he shared few details about the initiative's specific mandate or structure.
The White House has moved to downplay the reports. White House spokesperson Kush Desai told Semafor that "any reporting about personnel decisions that have not been officially announced by the administration should be regarded as baseless speculation." Cointelegraph separately reached out to both the White House and the US Treasury Department for comment on the matter, though no official confirmation has been provided.
The appointment carries significant implications for both the tech industry and the broader regulatory landscape. A dedicated AI czar could shape federal standards for AI development, address national security concerns, and influence how the government balances innovation with risk mitigation. Bessent's background in finance, combined with Kupor's venture capital experience and Kratsios's technology policy expertise, suggests the administration is weighing economic and commercial considerations alongside security priorities.
Looking ahead, the final selection will likely determine the direction of Trump's AI Force and the scope of its mandate. Industry watchers and policymakers will be closely monitoring any official announcement for signals about regulatory approaches, funding commitments, and interagency coordination. The outcome could also affect the administration's relationships with major technology companies and venture capital firms invested in AI. Whatever name emerges, the AI czar role is poised to become one of the most consequential positions in the Trump administration's technology agenda.
