David Sacks is done as AI czar — here’s what he’s doing instead

David Sacks has concluded his role as the AI and crypto leader under Donald Trump's administration. In an interview with Bloomberg, he announced that his 130-day tenure as a special government employee has come to an end. Sacks will now co-chair the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) alongside senior White House technology adviser Michael Kratsios. In his new role, Sacks expressed enthusiasm about being able to influence a broader spectrum of technology topics beyond just AI. He remarked, "As co-chair of PCAST, I can now make recommendations on an expanded range of technology issues," during a video interview with Bloomberg. This change means Sacks will have less direct influence in Washington compared to his previous position. While serving as AI czar, he had direct access to the Trump administration and played a significant role in shaping policy. In contrast, PCAST is an advisory body that studies issues, generates reports, and provides recommendations, but does not have the authority to make policy decisions. The council, which has existed since Franklin D. Roosevelt, boasts an impressive roster of members, including prominent figures like Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Sacks underscored the star power of this current iteration of PCAST, noting it has the most influential group ever assembled in this capacity. The council aims to address critical issues, such as AI, advanced semiconductors, quantum computing, and nuclear power. Sacks indicated that their immediate focus will be on advancing Trump’s national AI framework, which aims to streamline various conflicting state regulations that he described as a "mess." Sacks did not elaborate on the timing of his transition or whether his recent comments about U.S. involvement in the war with Iran influenced this change. Earlier, he had publicly suggested that the administration seek a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, which drew a response from Trump indicating Sacks had not discussed this matter with him. Reflecting on PCAST's historical impact, Sacks recognizes the council's varying influence across different administrations. In the past, President Obama’s PCAST produced numerous reports that led to significant policy changes, while Trump's first term saw limited activity from his council. With the current PCAST, Sacks is back among the private sector leaders shaping technology, positioning himself to continue his work as an investor and entrepreneur.