Scott Bessent Emerges as Leading Candidate for Trump's AI Czar Position
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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
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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
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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
[4]
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
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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
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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
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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
[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 and
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is the frontrunner to become Donald Trump's new AI czar, sources reveal. The potential appointment comes as Trump plans to establish an AI force and reshape AI governance, with Bessent already leading crucial US-China AI safety discussions focused on national security concerns.
Scott Bessent Positioned as Trump's AI Czar Frontrunner
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emerged as the leading candidate to become Donald Trump's new AI czar, according to sources familiar with the discussions
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. The potential political appointment comes as lawmakers in Washington express mounting concerns about AI risks and governance, though Trump has consistently downplayed these worries and argued against additional regulation1
. Trump announced plans to appoint an AI adviser role and create an AI force on Saturday, though specific details about implementation remain unclear1
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Source: Market Screener
Competing Candidates and White House Response
While Scott Bessent leads the race, other contenders include White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor—a former managing partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz—and National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross
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. However, White House spokesperson Kush Desai cautioned that any reporting about personnel decisions not officially announced should be regarded as baseless speculation3
. The Treasury Department has offered no immediate comment on Bessent's possible new role1
.US-China AI Dialogue and National Security Focus
Bessent's candidacy gained momentum following his leadership of critical talks on Sunday with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York, ahead of the Trump-Xi Jinping summit in Washington
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. The discussions centered heavily on AI policy and AI risks and governance. Bessent revealed that Washington proposed a new AI safety notification mechanism and a dedicated US-China AI dialogue, with particular emphasis on national security concerns1
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. Speaking to CNBC about these talks, Bessent stated that when Trump discussed appointing an AI czar, it was to provide context, shape, and contours around critical AI questions2
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Source: Cointelegraph
Bessent's Expanding Portfolio and AI Authority
Over the summer, Scott Bessent's attention increasingly shifted toward AI governance as security stories dominated headlines
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. The former hedge fund manager already holds multiple responsibilities beyond his Treasury Secretary position. Trump previously tapped him to lead a major revamp of US trade policy, negotiate with Ukraine about critical minerals, and temporarily head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau1
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. He also serves as acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, while his Treasury leads efforts to isolate Iran economically through sanctions and other measures1
. Bessent is already considered an AI authority within the Trump Administration2
.Related Stories
The AI Czar Role's Evolution
The AI czar position isn't entirely new. David Sacks, a tech venture capital billionaire and podcaster, previously served as Trump's AI and crypto czar until March, when he stepped down after reaching his service limit as a special government employee
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. Sacks continues advising the president through the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology3
. Trump's recent social media activity has showcased his enthusiasm for AI, including a proposal to rename AI as Super Intelligence, which he claims will appear on official government documents2
. In a Truth Social post, Trump declared that his administration would cherish AI and watch over it as it grows, while also looking for bad actors using existing criminal and civil justice systems2
.What This Means for AI Safety Mechanisms
The potential appointment of Scott Bessent as Trump's AI czar signals a pragmatic approach to AI governance that balances innovation promotion with security considerations. Bessent's track record in complex negotiations—from trade policy to international sanctions—suggests the role could focus on establishing bilateral AI safety mechanisms rather than domestic regulation. His emphasis on national security concerns during the US-China AI dialogue indicates that AI risks and governance discussions will likely prioritize geopolitical competition over consumer protection or ethical considerations. Observers should watch whether the new AI czar role includes actual regulatory authority or remains primarily advisory, and how the proposed AI force integrates with existing government agencies. The appointment's timing, amid midterm election pressures and Trump's resistance to AI regulation, raises questions about whether this represents genuine policy commitment or political positioning.
Source: Gizmodo
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