President-elect Donald Trump is considering creating an “AI czar” position to coordinate federal policy and lead advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto.
This potential initiative highlights Trump's focus on maintaining the United States' technological leadership, especially in the crypto industry.
Trump’s Intertwined Leadership in Crypto and AI
The role would focus on managing and coordinating federal AI policy, signaling a significant move toward centralizing AI governance within the U.S. government. Sources suggest that Elon Musk, who already plays a key role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), could have a major influence on the selection. However, it’s unlikely that he will take on the role directly.
The proposed AI czar would collaborate with artificial intelligence officials from federal agencies, a structure established by President Joe Biden’s executive order. The office would ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of AI innovation. It would also address critical challenges like government efficiency and fraud prevention.
Additionally, the AI czar’s office would also direct private investment to expand the energy and computing resources needed for AI. These goals align with Trump’s broader technological and economic ambitions, which prioritize deregulation and private sector growth.
Appointing an AI czar signals that the incoming administration is putting AI at the center of its agenda — and rightly so. As the leader of federal AI efforts, the czar should focus on two key priorities to deliver on the president-elect’s economic goals: accelerating adoption and safeguarding U.S. competitiveness, the Center for Data Innovation said in a statement.
This comes just days after reports that Trump was also planning a parallel push into the digital assets sector with the appointment of a “crypto czar.” Chris Giancarlo, the former chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is a leading candidate for the role. Known as “Crypto Dad,” Giancarlo has been an advocate for blockchain adoption and led 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 exploring combining the roles of AI and crypto into a broader emerging technologies czar. Together, these initiatives reflect the interconnected potential of crypto and AI to reshape the economy.
Crypto Regulatory Change: Implications and Industry Reactions
In parallel, Trump’s crypto czar would spearhead regulatory reforms aimed at fostering innovation while providing clarity for the blockchain industry. Trump has promised a new regulatory board for digital assets, signaling a shift from the controversial stance of the SEC under outgoing Chairman Gary Gensler.
Acquiring a stake in crypto exchange Bakkt is also under discussion, potentially aligning Trump's investments with his political priorities.
Industry leaders see these appointments as crucial. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has welcomed the idea of a crypto czar, but stressed the need for a neutral figure who understands the unique potential of blockchain technologies.
Regarding the idea of a Crypto Czar in the White House, I feel the role needs to be filled by someone neutral, who works across all protocols and has a deep understanding of why crypto is special, he wrote. Hoskinson.
However, concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest. Specifically, Musk's involvement in AI policymaking could benefit his companies, such as xAI.
In fact, the billionaire entrepreneur has a history of public conflicts with rival CEOs, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Google’s Sundar Pichai. Some suggest he could capitalize on his relationship with Trump to favor his companies.
However, by cementing leadership in AI and crypto, Trump aims to position the US as a global powerhouse in emerging technologies. Whether these efforts strike the desired balance between innovation and regulation will define his legacy in these transformative industries.
The article Donald Trump Seeks AI ‘Czar’ to Lead Strategic Crypto Position appeared first on BeInCrypto Brasil.
