US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reportedly being considered as US President Donald Trump’s next artificial intelligence czar, positioning him at the center of the administration’s evolving technology policy just days after the White House announced plans to form an elite "AI Force" to address growing concerns regarding the risks and national security implications associated with rapidly advancing technology.
According to people familiar with the matter who spoke with Semafor, Bessent has emerged as a leading frontrunner for the high-profile position. The role carries significant responsibility in shaping federal policy, coordinating interagency efforts, and navigating the complex intersection of technological innovation, economic competitiveness, and regulatory oversight.
The potential appointment comes at a crucial juncture for the Trump administration’s technology agenda. Just days prior, President Trump utilized his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce sweeping plans for the establishment of a dedicated "AI Force" alongside the appointment of a new artificial intelligence czar. While the initial announcement on September 19 lightened on specific structural details regarding the exact mandate, operational scope, and deployment of the proposed force, it underscored the administration’s heightened focus on artificial intelligence as a critical pillar of national infrastructure and geopolitical strategy.
Should Bessent ultimately secure the position, he would step into a role previously occupied by prominent technology investor and entrepreneur David Sacks. Sacks was initially tapped by President Trump to serve in a dual-capacity role as both the administration’s artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar, bridging the gap between Silicon Valley innovation and federal policy. However, Sacks stepped down from the official government post earlier this year after reaching his statutory service limit as a special government employee. Despite departing his formal administrative title, Sacks has remained actively engaged in shaping national policy, continuing to advise the president through his ongoing participation in the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
While Bessent is widely regarded as a primary candidate for the AI czar position, sources indicate that several other high-ranking officials and prominent figures are also under active consideration by the administration. Among the alternative candidates reportedly being weighed by the White House are Michael Kratsios, who serves as the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Scott Kupor, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and a former managing partner of the prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Additionally, National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross has been floated as a potential contender for the post, reflecting the heavy overlap between artificial intelligence oversight, cybersecurity infrastructure, and federal personnel management.
Despite the widespread reports circulating within political and financial circles regarding potential leadership shakeups and appointments, the White House has moved quickly to urge caution regarding premature speculation. When reached for comment by Semafor, White House spokesperson Kush Desai firmly dismissed the emerging reports, stating that any commentary or media coverage concerning personnel decisions that have not been officially announced by the administration should be regarded as baseless speculation. Representatives for Cointelegraph subsequently reached out to both the White House and the United States Department of the Treasury to seek further clarification and official comment on the matter, though no formal statements confirming or denying Bessent’s candidacy have been released at this time.
The search for a new artificial intelligence czar highlights the ongoing challenges and strategic priorities facing the current administration as artificial intelligence technologies continue to transform global markets, labor forces, and national security paradigms. The intersection of artificial intelligence and broader economic policies has also drawn intense focus from global financial institutions and regulatory bodies alike. For instance, recent market analysis from major financial institutions, including BlackRock, has emphasized that the underlying potential for artificial intelligence to drive unprecedented demand for digital assets, cryptocurrency infrastructure, and high-performance computing resources remains heavily underappreciated by traditional markets. As artificial intelligence models require massive computational power, energy resources, and financial integration, the alignment between treasury policy, technology regulation, and digital currency oversight becomes increasingly pronounced.
The unfolding developments regarding the administration’s technology leadership underscore the high stakes involved in federal artificial intelligence governance. As the White House weighs its options—balancing seasoned financial leadership like that of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent with deep technology sector expertise represented by candidates such as Michael Kratsios and Scott Kupor—the ultimate structure of the proposed AI Force and the mandate of the incoming czar will play a decisive role in shaping the trajectory of American technological supremacy in the years ahead.
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