President-elect Donald Trump has appointed venture capitalist David Sacks to oversee artificial intelligence and crypto policy initiatives for his second term, marking a significant shift in the U.S.'s approach to emerging technologies.
Trump announced the appointment through his Truth Social platform on Thursday, positioning Sacks, co-founder of Craft Ventures LLC, to lead both the newly created technology czar position and the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology.
“I am pleased to announce that David O. Sacks will be the ‘White House A.I. & Crypto Czar,’” Trump said in his post. “He will safeguard free speech online and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship. He will work on a legal framework so the crypto industry has the clarity it has been asking for and can thrive in the U.S."
David will also lead the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology, Trump said.
Sacks is set to guide policy for both AI and crypto, which Trump notes are "two areas critical to the future of American competitiveness."
The appointment supports Trump's shifting stance on digital assets, contrasting with his previous skepticism when he described Bitcoin as "highly volatile and based on thin air" during his first term. Trump's campaign has since embraced crypto-friendly policies, promising regulatory clarity for the industry.
Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley figure and Trump supporter has been instrumental in bridging the gap between technology leaders and the Trump campaign. He hosted a major fundraising event at his San Francisco residence in June. He maintained close ties with Vice President-elect JD Vance, who worked as a venture capitalist before serving as Ohio senator.
"David has the knowledge, business experience, intelligence, and pragmatism to MAKE AMERICA GREAT in these two critical technologies," Trump added in a separate Truth Social post.
The role is expected to establish direct communication channels between the White House and federal regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Specifically, the liaison position is geared toward facilitating the development of clear regulatory frameworks for digital assets.
Sacks publicly endorsed Trump's presidential bid in June, citing the former president's economic policies, foreign affairs approach, and border control measures as key factors.
The venture capitalist has expressed concerns about inflation, advocating for a diplomatic resolution to international conflicts and reform of what he describes as partisan-driven legal actions.
The appointment comes as the crypto industry faces increased scrutiny from federal regulators and demands clearer guidelines for operation within the U.S. Regulatory discussions on AI safety and guardrails for mass use are also on the table, with one bill getting vetoed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September.
Trump also announced Thursday that he is bringing back Paul Atkins, a former SEC commissioner, to lead the regulatory agency, citing Atkins as a "proven leader" for "common sense regulations."
Edited by Sebastian Sinclair
