President Trump’s upcoming AI advisor will step into a rapidly evolving technological landscape and a contentious power dynamic in Washington regarding the government’s role in this field.
On September 19, Trump revealed plans to appoint a new AI adviser and establish an “AI Force.” This “high IQ” tech expert will find the AI environment has shifted notably since venture capitalist David Sacks served as the first czar for AI and cryptocurrency in late 2024. Sacks resigned in March after fulfilling a 130-day limit as a special government employee.
Securing this position coincides with major AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic advocating for increased government oversight, while lawmakers are working on new regulations for the various leading AI laboratories in the country.
There are several candidates reportedly in contention for this important role, which oversees a trillion-dollar industry:
Sriram Krishnan
Khrishnan, a senior policy advisor on AI in the White House, was recognized as one of “The Architects of AI” in TIME Magazine’s 2025 Persons of the Year. Originally from Chennai, India, he has a venture capital background with previous roles at Microsoft, Meta, and XAI. He played a significant role in crafting the AI Action Plan aimed at reducing market regulations while also focusing on the development of data centers.
Trump has previously expressed admiration for Krishnan. At a holiday gathering, he mentioned, “[W]ithout him things, certainly on AI, would not function well,” as reported by The Washington Post in June.
Following Sacks’ departure, Krishnan assumed a more prominent position at the National Economic Council until his exit in June, according to Axios.
Scott Bessent
Reportedly the leading candidate for this role is Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, who has frequently stated that AI companies must be held accountable for the outcomes of their models. Recently, he has been more engaged in AI policy discussions, including talks with Chinese officials about potential mechanisms for addressing AI incidents that could pose security risks.
Bessent asserted during a House Financial Services Committee hearing that “the best way to guarantee safety is that the creators are liable for what they build and generate.” In an interview with Fox News, he refuted reports suggesting Trump had already offered him the position, calling it “fake news.”
Sean Cairncross
As the National Cyber Director, Cairncross has played a critical role in shaping AI policy under the Trump administration since 2025. Previously appointed as the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corp. from 2019 to 2021 and having served as the COO of the Republican National Committee, he has been at the center of debates around AI governance. Reports indicate he has had disagreements with Bessent, suggesting that the Treasury Department is too involved in AI matters, with some insiders questioning whether he is suited for overseeing regulation of advanced AI labs.
Michael Kratsios
The current director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Kratsios, has been a prominent technology advisor for Trump, arguing against slowing down frontier AI development. In a speech at the United Nations, he said, “The frontier of intelligence is advancing rapidly. That is not a reason to pause its further development or to constrain it with new global governance structures.” He emphasized the need for an open ecosystem to harness technology’s potential effectively.
The new appointee will undoubtedly face pressure from both the tech sector and legislators as Washington grapples with how to regulate an industry evolving at a dizzying pace.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, has been vocal in supporting strong AI regulations. Alongside Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), he is advocating for the “Artificial Intelligence Risk Evaluation Act.” Hawley expressed a desire for the new AI czar to prioritize the interests of American citizens.
“Somebody who’s got everyday citizens’ best interests at heart,” Hawley said. “But Congress should do something too. We should pass a bill limiting data centers. We ought to pass legislation that would stop AI chatbots from pushing sexual material to kids. We ought to pass legislation that would give everyday people the right to get into court against these companies. We should not just sit back and spectate.”
