Tech Leaders Join Trump's New Science & Innovation Council

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin will be the first four members of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), according to the Wall Street Journal.

The panel, which will "weigh in on AI policy," will include 13 members to start, but could grow to 24. Trump's AI and crypto czar David Sacks and White House tech advisor Michael Kratsios will co-chair the panel.

According to the White House's January announcement for the panel, PCAST will "advise the President on matters involving science, technology, education, and innovation policy." The council will provide "independent advice and recommendations to the President" on critical issues.

The addition of high-profile tech executives like Zuckerberg and Huang signals the Trump administration's focus on leveraging private sector expertise to shape technology policy. As AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies become increasingly influential, the President is seeking guidance from industry leaders to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.

Critics have raised concerns about the potential conflicts of interest in having corporate executives directly advise the President, but the White House has defended the move as necessary to stay ahead of the curve on technological innovation. The PCAST panel will be tasked with providing strategic advice on issues ranging from quantum computing to biotechnology.

The formation of this high-powered technology council underscores the Trump administration's ambitions to cement the United States' global leadership in critical and emerging technologies. By tapping into the expertise of Silicon Valley titans, the President hopes to chart a course that balances innovation and regulation in the public interest.

As the technology landscape continues to evolve rapidly, the role of PCAST will be crucial in shaping the policies and priorities that will determine America's competitive edge in the 21st century digital economy. The stakes are high, and the President is betting that the collective wisdom of these tech luminaries can help the U.S. stay ahead of the curve.