Trump Forms New Council of Tech Leaders to Guide AI Strategy

Formation of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

President Donald Trump has announced the establishment of a new advisory council comprising some of the leading figures in technology, including Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, and Jensen Huang. This initiative, revealed by the White House on Wednesday, aims to enhance the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), which will initially consist of 13 prominent industry leaders. Notable members also include Google co-founder Sergey Brin and AMD CEO Lisa Su, with plans to expand the council to a total of 24 members as per an executive order from the previous year.

PCAST is designed to provide strategic advice to the President on science and technology policies that will influence the future of the United States in critical areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), national security, education, economic competitiveness, and innovation. This move reflects the Trump administration's commitment to leveraging private sector knowledge to shape federal AI strategies, especially in light of increasing global competition, particularly from China.

During his second term, Trump has prioritized leadership in artificial intelligence, instructing federal agencies to develop an AI Action Plan that aims to eliminate regulatory hurdles and foster innovation in the private sector. The council is anticipated to be instrumental in guiding Washington's approach to the fast-evolving AI landscape, focusing on regulations, research priorities, workforce development, and ensuring the U.S. maintains its technological edge amid international competition.

PCAST was reestablished through an executive order in January 2025, tasked with bringing together top experts from academia, industry, and government to shape public policy in science and technology, including AI, quantum computing, and other groundbreaking fields.