David Sacks, a longtime venture capitalist and former member of PayPal Mafia has now announced that the is stepping aside from his role as President Donald Trump’s special adviser on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. Sacks told Bloomberg that he has ‘used up’ his 130 days as a special government employee and will now serve as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). “I think moving forward as co-chair of PCAST, I can now make recommendations on not just AI but an expanded range of technology topics,” Sacks said. “So yes, this is how I’ll be involved moving forward.”
PCAST expanding the scope beyond AI
PCAST is a federal advisory committee composed of industry and academic experts that provides evidence-based recommendations to the president on science, technology, and innovation policy. In his new role, Sacks will continue to push Trump’s recently unveiled AI framework, while also advising on broader areas such as semiconductors, quantum computing, and nuclear power.For the uninitiated, Sacks has been one of the important figures in White House since the second term of Trump. He has been frequently advising Trump on the tech policy. He also played a crucial role in forming the AI agenda of the Trump administration. As part of AI agenda, the Trump administration aims to establish a national regulatory framework and boost US competitiveness in emerging technologies.
David Sacks has drawn attention for his deep ties to the tech industry
A longtime Silicon Valley entrepreneur and co-founder of Craft Ventures, Sacks has drawn attention for his deep ties to the tech industry and outspoken views. Last year, he sold over $200 million in digital asset-related investments, according to a White House memo. More recently, his comments on the Iran war sparked debate, though he clarified they reflected personal views aligned with Trump’s stated desire to bring the conflict to a conclusion.