President-elect Donald Trump is considering a unique move: creating a dedicated “AI czar” position to coordinate federal policy and promote advances in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
The move shows Trump’s interest in maintaining America’s technological leadership.
Trump’s Intertwined Leadership in Cryptocurrency and AI
This role will focus on managing and coordinating federal AI policy, representing an important step toward centralizing AI management within the US government. The source said Elon Musk, who has played a large role in Trump’s Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE), could strongly influence the selection of personnel for this role. However, it is difficult for him to take on a direct position.
The proposed AI czar would collaborate with agencies’ artificial intelligence officers, a structure established by President Joe Biden’s executive order. This office will ensure the United States remains at the forefront of AI innovation, while addressing critical challenges such as government efficiency and fraud prevention.
Furthermore, the AI czar office will also direct private investments to expand the power and computing resources needed for artificial intelligence. These goals are consistent with Trump’s broad economic and technological ambitions, which prioritize deregulation and private sector growth.
“The appointment of an AI czar shows that the new administration is putting AI at the top of its agenda – and rightly so. As the leader of federal AI efforts, the czar should focus on two key priorities to help realize the president-elect’s economic goals: driving adoption and protecting American competitiveness,” The Center for Data Innovation said in a statement.
Less than a few days later, it was reported that Trump was also preparing a parallel initiative in the field of digital assets with the appointment of a “crypto czar.” Chris Giancarlo, former chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is the leading candidate for the position. Known as “Crypto Dad,” Giancarlo has championed blockchain adoption and leads the Digital Dollar Project.
Other candidates under consideration include Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and former Binance.US executive Brian Brooks. Trump’s team is also considering combining the AI and Cryptocurrency roles into a broader emerging technologies czar position. Together these developments reflect the interconnected potential of Cryptocurrencies and AI in reshaping the economy.
Cryptocurrency Regulatory Shift: Impact and Industry Response
In parallel, Trump’s crypto czar will spearhead regulatory reforms aimed at promoting innovation while providing clarity to the blockchain industry. Trump has promised a new regulatory board for digital assets, signaling a shift from the controversial stance of the SEC (US Securities Exchange Commission) under outgoing chairman Gary Gensler . A stake buyback in crypto exchange Bakkt is also being discussed, which could align Trump’s investments with his policy priorities.
Industry leaders view these appointments as important. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson praised the idea of a crypto czar but emphasized the need for a neutral figure who understands the unique potential of blockchain technologies.
“Regarding a Crypto-Czar at the White House, I feel this role should be filled by someone who is neutral, works with all protocols, and has a deep understanding of why Cryptocurrencies are special, ” Hoskinson wrote.
However, concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest. Specifically, Musk’s involvement in shaping AI policy could benefit his companies, like xAI.
Looking back, the billionaire businessman has a history of public arguments with rival CEOs like OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Google’s Sundar Pichai. Some people think he could leverage his relationship with Trump to support his companies.
Still, by consolidating leadership in the fields of AI and Cryptocurrency, Trump aims to position the United States as a global power in emerging technologies. Whether these efforts strike the desired balance between innovation and regulation will shape their legacy in these transformative industries.