Trump Eyes “AI Czar” Role with Elon Musk’s Influence and Ramaswamy’s Guidance
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning to appoint an “AI czar” to oversee federal artificial intelligence policy, marking a significant move to centralize AI governance in the White House. According to Axios, the role aims to harness public and private resources to secure America’s leadership in AI while coordinating federal efforts across sectors.
While Tesla CEO Elon Musk is not expected to take the position, his influence is anticipated to be substantial. Musk, who leads xAI and has been vocal about AI’s risks and opportunities, has often clashed with industry peers like OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Google’s Sundar Pichai. Critics express concerns that Musk could sway policies in ways that benefit his ventures, leveraging his close ties to the Trump administration.
Vivek Ramaswamy, leading Trump’s newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is also expected to play a key role in shaping the appointment and future initiatives. The AI czar’s responsibilities would include collaborating with chief AI officers established under President Biden’s executive order and addressing inefficiencies through innovation. This initiative reflects Trump’s broader strategy to prioritize emerging technologies, mirroring his National Energy Council approach to energy policy.
