U.S. science and technology policy is undergoing a major adjustment led by the Trump administration. The core figure is Michael Kratsios, the newly appointed director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He is also the President’s Science and Technology Assistant. His deep background in the field of artificial intelligence and his key role in the previous administration indicate that U.S. science and technology policy will focus more on artificial intelligence. and technological innovation. This personnel appointment also includes a number of officials with rich experience in the fields of AI and cryptocurrency, showing the Trump administration’s emphasis on and active layout of the technology field, especially artificial intelligence.
The field of U.S. science and technology policy is undergoing major adjustments. Recently, Michael Kratsios, a researcher at Stanford University's Human Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute (Stanford HAI), was appointed director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and will also serve as the President's Science and Technology Assistant in the incoming Trump administration. This appointment has attracted widespread attention and marks the increasing influence of senior American AI researchers on national science and technology policy.
Trump recalls old ministries, reorganizes technology team
In addition to Michael Kratsios, Trump also appointed another veteran, Lynne Parker, to serve as executive director of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Both are veteran officials from his first administration and will join previously appointed "artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar" David Sacks and other tech figures focused on AI and cryptocurrency in the White House. Trump said in his appointment statement that together they will achieve scientific breakthroughs, ensure America's technological dominance, and usher in a golden age of American innovation.
It is reported that after Kratsios takes office, he will serve as director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and provide advice to the "Tsar." Parker will advise Kratsios, and the committee will be chaired by the "Tsar". Previously, Parker served as deputy chief technology officer in the Trump administration and was the founding director of the Office of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative. Additionally, a16z general partner Sriram Krishnan has been named OSTP’s senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence, while a16z managing partner Scott Kupor has been named director of the Office of People Management. It is worth noting that it is reported that since the election, Marc Andreessen has spent most of his time at Mar-a-Lago, which shows the close relationship between Trump and a16z.
Michael Kratsios: The man behind U.S. AI strategy
Michael Kratsios is not only an American business executive and former senior government official, but also Managing Director of Scale AI. Prior to that, he served as the nation's fourth chief technology officer at the White House, where he led the development and execution of the national technology policy agenda. Under his leadership, the White House has realigned the direction of U.S. national technology policy to ensure that the United States remains a leader in emerging technologies.
In 2020, he took the lead in designing the United States’ first artificial intelligence strategy, the AI Plan. The plan directly doubles federal AI and quantum research funding and formulates the world's first regulatory principles for AI development. He also led the United States in formulating the world's first intergovernmental AI policy guidance at the OECD and oversaw the implementation of landmark bills such as the National AI Initiative Act and the National Quantum Initiative Act. The bills promoted the establishment of the National AI Initiative Office and the National Quantum Coordination Office in the White House and led the establishment of a billion-dollar national network of AI and quantum research institutions.
Prior to joining the White House, Michael served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, where he managed the largest research and development budget for a single organization in the world and oversaw all research, engineering, development and prototyping for the Pentagon. He has overseen DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), the Missile Defense Agency, the Defense Innovation Unit, the Space Development Agency, and the Department of Defense Laboratory Enterprise.
Michael Kratsios' outstanding contributions have been widely recognized, and he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate and awarded the Department of Defense's highest civilian award, the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award. He was also named one of the "40 Under 40" by Fortune magazine, becoming a dual role model in the political and technological circles. It is worth mentioning that he was born in South Carolina, received a BA from Princeton University, and was a visiting scholar at Tsinghua University.
This series of personnel appointments shows that the Trump administration is actively promoting technological innovation and intends to dominate emerging technologies such as AI. In the future, how U.S. science and technology policy will develop and what impact these appointments will have on the global science and technology landscape deserves our close attention.
Reference: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/22/trump-names-kratsios-parker-to-tech-roles-00195859?sf211075298=1
All in all, the Trump administration’s adjustments to science and technology policies, especially its emphasis on the field of artificial intelligence, will have a profound impact on the development of science and technology in the United States and around the world. In the future, we will continue to pay attention to the changes brought about by this series of appointments and the direction of U.S. science and technology policy.