Trump Rules Out Scott Bessent as AI Czar, Keeps Him at Treasury
13 Sources
[1]
Trump says Treasury's Bessent will not be his AI czar
From a new name for AI to security risk warnings... This is AI Weekly. More Videos 1 second of 2 minutes, 21 secondsVolume 0% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabled Shortcuts Open/Close/ or ? Play/PauseSPACE Increase
[2]
Trump says Scott Bessent won't be AI czar
* President Donald Trump said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will not be his artificial intelligence czar. * Trump's announcement came after Semafor and Reuters reported he was considering Bessent for the post. * "Scott Bessent will not be going to be Super Intelligence (SI) Czar," Trump wrote
[3]
Scott Bessent Could Soon Be Trump's 'AI Czar,' Report Says
President Donald Trump is staring down a potential beating in the midterms, throwing spaghetti at the wall to bring down gas prices, and threatening once again to "annihilate" the Islamic Republic of Iran. And speaking of consequential matters, he might soon shift Scott Bessent from his role as
[4]
US Treasury secretary could take on AI czar role, source says
'We just had a very, very successful engagement with the Chinese on trade and AI, More Videos 0 of 52 secondsVolume 0% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabled Shortcuts Open/Close/ or ? Play/PauseSPACE Increase Volume↑ Decrease
[5]
Trump rules out Scott Bessent as AI czar, keeps him at Treasury
Trump's statement followed reports from Semafor and Reuters that Bessent had been under consideration for the position, according to CNBC. Trump had signaled last week that he intended to create an AI leadership position within his administration. In a Sept. 19 Truth Social post, Trump announced
[6]
Scott Bessent Frontrunner for Trump's AI Czar: Report
US President Donald Trump previously tapped David Sacks as his AI and crypto czar before Sacks stepped down from the role earlier this year after reaching his service limit as a special government employee. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reportedly being considered as US President Donald
[7]
Trump rules out Bessent as AI czar
President Trump said on Friday he is ruling out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to serve as his artificial intelligence czar amid speculation the Cabinet member was under consideration. Trump, in a Truth Social post Friday, said Bessent will not be the "Super Intelligence (SI) Czar," referring to
[8]
US Treasury Secretary Could Take on AI Czar Role, Source Says
Sept 22 (Reuters) - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent could become President Donald Trump's new AI czar, a source familiar with the discussions said on Tuesday, as fears grow among lawmakers in Washington about the risks posed by AI technology. Trump has repeatedly downplayed concerns about AI
[9]
Treasury Secretary Bessent may become 'AI czar'
Scott Bessent is being considered to take on the role of AI czar amid growing concerns. President Donald Trump has indicated plans to appoint an artificial intelligence adviser and create an AI force. Recent discussions between Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng focused on AI regulations
[10]
Trump Rules Out Scott Bessent for New AI Czar Role
Scott Bessent Isn't Becoming Trump's 'Super Intelligence Czar' -- Here's Why President Donald Trump on Friday ruled out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for the newly created "Super Intelligence (SI) Czar" role, dismissing recent speculation. Trump Calls Reports 'Fake News' In a Truth Social
[11]
Scott Bessent as Trump's AI Czar? Treasury Secretary Reportedly Emerges as Top Contender
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reportedly emerging as a leading contender to become President Donald Trump's AI czar, potentially expanding his role in the administration's technology and China policy. Scott Bessent Emerges As AI Czar Contender Three people familiar with the matter told
[12]
Bessent emerges as frontrunner for Trump's "AI czar" role - report By Investing.com
Investing.com -- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is a leading candidate for President Donald Trump's new AI czar position, according to a Semafor report on Tuesday. Trump's decision on his AI point person is not final, and he is known to favor dark-horse candidates. If Bessent receives the
[13]
US Treasury secretary could take on AI czar role, source says
Sept 22 (Reuters) - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent could become President Donald Trump's new AI czar, a source familiar with the discussions said on Tuesday, as fears grow among lawmakers in Washington about the risks posed by AI technology. Trump has repeatedly downplayed concerns about AI and
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Donald Trump announced Scott Bessent will stay as US Treasury Secretary and not take the AI czar role despite earlier speculation. The president cited Bessent's strong performance at Treasury and his lack of interest in the position, leaving the Super Intelligence Czar role still vacant.
Donald Trump Confirms Scott Bessent Will Remain US Treasury Secretary
Donald Trump
1
announced on Friday that Scott Bessent2
will not become his AI czar, ending speculation about the US Treasury Secretary taking on a new AI oversight role. Trump made the announcement via Truth Social5
, stating: "Scott Bessent will not be going to be Super Intelligence (SI) Czar. Number One, he doesn't want to. Number Two, he's doing such a great job at Treasury, and that's where I want to keep him! Why would I ever make such a change?"
Source: Benzinga
The clarification came after Semafor
3
and Reuters4
reported that Bessent was being considered for the position. The reports cited three sources familiar with the matter and highlighted Bessent's growing involvement in AI governance issues within the Trump administration AI policy framework.Bessent's Expanding Role in AI Safety and US-China Relations
Bessent has emerged as a key figure in AI safety discussions, particularly regarding national security concerns. On Sunday, he led critical talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng
1
in New York ahead of a summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. During these discussions, Bessent proposed an AI safety notification mechanism and a bilateral US-China AI dialogue4
focused on national security concerns.
Source: Benzinga
According to earlier reporting from Semafor, Bessent's attention shifted heavily toward AI issues over the summer as AI security stories dominated news cycles. He told CNBC this week: "When President Trump talked about appointing an AI Czar, I think it is to put context, shape and contours around these questions, and they're very important." This growing expertise made him appear as a frontrunner for the Super Intelligence Czar position despite his primary responsibilities at Treasury.
The Search for an AI Czar Continues
Trump announced last week that he plans to appoint an artificial intelligence adviser and create an "AI force"
1
, though he provided no details about implementation. The White House has not immediately revealed who might be tapped for the AI czar role. According to Semafor, other candidates under consideration include Michael Kratsios3
, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.The position isn't entirely new. Tech VC billionaire David Sacks previously served as Trump's AI and Crypto Czar until March, when he had to step down due to rules placed on special government employees. Trump's recent enthusiasm for AI governance has been evident through multiple Truth Social posts, including his announcement that AI represents "the next Industrial Revolution, or Internet, but will be even larger and more impactful, possibly as much as 25% of our Country's GDP."
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Rising Concerns About AI Risks and Regulation
The push for an AI czar comes as fears grow among lawmakers in Washington about risks posed by the technology. Top AI researchers have warned that people building AI believe it could kill humans within a decade, following cases of AI agents going rogue to hack external systems
1
. Several Democratic and Republican lawmakers have responded with alarm and calls for more action.Despite these concerns, Trump has repeatedly downplayed worries about AI and argued that additional regulation is unnecessary. In a September 19 Truth Social post, he claimed the administration will "cherish" AI and "help it, and watch over it, as it grows," while also stating they will be "looking for BAD" using "our already existing Criminal and Civil Justice System." Trump even conducted polls among his followers to rename AI, ultimately settling on "Super Intelligence" as his preferred term for official government documents.
Source: Cointelegraph
Watch this space as the Trump administration continues its search for someone to fill the AI force leadership position while navigating the complex landscape of AI governance and national security concerns.
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