David Sacks leaves AI czar role but keeps influence over Trump's tech policy agenda
9 Sources
[1]
David Sacks is done as AI czar -- here's what he's doing instead | TechCrunch
David Sacks has used up his days as Donald Trump's AI and crypto czar. Speaking with Bloomberg on Thursday, the longtime entrepreneur, investor, and podcaster, confirmed that his non-consecutive 130-day stint as a special government employee is over and that he's moving on to co-chair the
[2]
White House AI czar Sacks to step down, moves to advisory role
WASHINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) - White House artificial intelligence and crypto czar David Sacks is stepping down from his role, saying in an interview on Bloomberg Television on Thursday he had reached the end of his time as a special government employee. Sacks said he is joining President Donald
[3]
David Sacks says his time as Trump's crypto and AI czar has ended
Venture capitalist David Sacks is stepping aside from his role as artificial intelligence and crypto czar for President Donald Trump. Sacks told Bloomberg on Thursday that he has "used up" his 130 days as a special government employee and is joining the President's Council of Advisers on Science &
[4]
Inside David Sacks' new role shaping Trump's AI agenda
Why it matters: It keeps a powerful Silicon Valley voice at the center of Trump's AI circle without the government ethics constraints that come with serving inside government. * The move lands as Republicans grow increasingly wary of an all-in attitude on AI development and begin to question the
[5]
David Sacks drops "AI czar" label, not policy influence
Why it matters: Sacks has been an influential voice insisting on a light-touch, pro-innovation approach to AI in the U.S. and has wielded his extensive network of Silicon Valley contacts to do so. Driving the news: Sacks told Bloomberg Television on Thursday that he used up his time in the AI czar
[6]
White House AI Czar Sacks to Step Down, Moves to Advisory Role
WASHINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) - White House artificial intelligence and crypto czar David Sacks is stepping down from his role, saying in an interview on Bloomberg Television on Thursday he had reached the end of his time as a special government employee. Sacks said he is joining President
[7]
White House AI czar Sacks to step down, moves to advisory role - The Economic Times
White House artificial intelligence and crypto czar David Sacks is stepping down from his role, saying in an interview on Bloomberg Television on Thursday he had reached the end of his time as a special government employee. Sacks said he is joining President Donald Trump's Council of Advisors on
[8]
David Sacks Has 'Used Up' His Time As Trump's Crypto And AI Czar, Shares What He Plans To Do Next - Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) (ARCA:BTC)
David Sacks said on Thursday that his time as White House AI and cryptocurrency czar has ended, paving the way for his new position on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Sacks Moves To New Role During an interview with Bloomberg, Sacks said that he has "used up" his
[9]
White House AI czar Sacks to step down, moves to advisory role
WASHINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) - White House artificial intelligence and crypto czar David Sacks is stepping down from his role, saying in an interview on Bloomberg Television on Thursday he had reached the end of his time as a special government employee. Sacks said he is joining President Donald
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David Sacks has completed his 130-day tenure as Trump's AI and crypto czar and is transitioning to co-chair the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. The move shifts him from direct policymaking to an advisory role, though sources say his influence on Trump AI policy remains strong despite growing Republican skepticism.
David Sacks Exits AI Czar Position After 130-Day Limit
David Sacks has concluded his stint as Donald Trump's AI and crypto czar, confirming in a Bloomberg interview on Thursday that he has exhausted his 130-day allowance as a special government employee
1
. The longtime Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor is now moving to co-chair the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology alongside senior White House technology adviser Michael Kratsios2
. Under U.S. rules, special government employees are limited to 130 days of work in a 12-month period, a cap that applies to days worked rather than the overall length of the appointment2
.
Source: TechCrunch
PCAST Role Expands Tech Policy Influence Beyond AI
"I think moving forward as co-chair of PCAST, I can now make recommendations on not just AI but an expanded range of technology topics," Sacks told Bloomberg
1
. This advisory role on technology positions him further from the power center in Washington compared to his previous direct line to Trump. PCAST is a federal advisory body that studies issues, produces reports, and sends recommendations up the chain but doesn't make policy directly1
. The council will tackle advanced semiconductors, quantum computing, nuclear power, and continue shaping Trump's AI agenda through the national AI framework released last week1
.
Source: Reuters
The initial 15 PCAST members include Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle's Larry Ellison, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Marc Andreessen, AMD's Lisa Su, and Michael Dell
1
. Sacks noted this iteration has "the most star power of any group like this" ever assembled1
.Ethics Waivers and Investment Conflicts Lifted
Moving outside government lifts some of the conflict-of-interest restrictions Sacks faced as AI czar while still allowing him to remain closely tied to the administration
4
. TechCrunch previously reported on the ethics waivers Sacks obtained to maintain financial stakes in AI and crypto companies while shaping federal policy in both areas—an arrangement that drew sharp criticism from ethics experts and lawmakers1
. Some of Sacks' investments, like SpaceX where he was an early investor, could soon pay off4
. Additionally, Sacks just established a new $100 million AI group called Innovation Council Action that plans to push Trump AI policy4
.Related Stories
Growing Republican Skepticism Over Deregulation Approach
White House officials tell Axios that Sacks will continue to wield significant tech policy influence despite the title change
4
. However, the move comes as Republicans grow increasingly wary of an all-in attitude on AI development and begin to question the White House strategy that has often followed Sacks' lead4
. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon told Axios that "Sacks brought policies that have been resoundingly defeated--FULL STOP," citing lagging AI approval poll numbers, an unfinished crypto regulatory agenda, and recent Big Tech court losses4
. Sacks was largely behind two failed attempts on Capitol Hill to block states from regulating AI, and he champions policies on China that give Republican hawks heartburn4
.Continued Access to Trump Despite Distance from White House
Sacks won't be on the White House premises participating in day-to-day meetings anymore, but he'll continue to have access to the president, officials said
4
. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and National Economic Council head Kevin Hassett have tapped Sriram Krishnan to take on a new position at the NEC where he will focus on AI and the economy4
. Krishnan worked hand-in-hand on Trump's AI action plan with Sacks4
. The White House doesn't plan to appoint a new AI czar, according to sources familiar with the matter, with Sacks continuing to advise the president from PCAST on AI5
. During his time as AI czar, Sacks presided over a loosening of Biden-era restrictions on AI chip shipments to China.References
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