Stories
Scott Bessent Eyed as Trump's AI Czar Amid Growing AI Concerns
- •US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is a potential candidate for President Donald Trump's new "AI czar" role, as lawmakers express increasing concerns about artificial intelligence risks.
- •Trump announced plans to appoint an "AI czar" and establish an "AI force," though details on structure and implementation remain undisclosed.
- •Trump has consistently downplayed AI concerns, arguing against additional regulation and stating that US government documents will use "super intelligence (SI)" instead of artificial intelligence.
- •Bessent recently led discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, where AI safety and a US-China AI dialogue, focusing on national security, were key topics.
- •If appointed, the AI czar role would add to Bessent's extensive portfolio, which includes trade policy, critical minerals negotiations, and leadership roles at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the IRS.
Key Questions Answered
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emerged as a potential candidate to become President Donald Trump's new AI czar. Sources familiar with White House discussions indicate he is being considered for the role, though no final decision has been made yet.
Scott Bessent stated that artificial intelligence developers should take responsibility for the systems they build rather than rely on the federal government to provide a liability shield. He emphasized that humans are responsible for AI outcomes rather than the technology itself.
During discussions in New York led by Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Washington proposed establishing an AI safety notification mechanism and a bilateral US-China AI dialogue focused on national security.
