President Donald Trump is set to convene some of the biggest names in the tech industry, including Meta Platforms Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle Executive Chairman Larry Ellison, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, on a newly reinvigorated technology advisory council. The council, officially the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), will offer guidance on artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and other emerging technological challenges facing the United States.
According to a White House official, the council will be co-chaired by David Sacks, former White House AI and crypto czar, and Michael Kratsios, another veteran technology adviser. Trump is expected to announce an initial cohort of 13 members on Wednesday, which could expand to a total of 24 participants under an executive order. Google co-founder Sergey Brin is also among those slated to join, reflecting a strategy of recruiting household names with deep industry expertise.
Zuckerberg, in a statement to The Wall Street Journal, highlighted the global stakes of AI innovation. “The United States has the opportunity to lead the world in AI,” he said. “I’m honored to join the President’s council and work with other industry leaders to help make this happen.” Such comments underscore the administration’s push to position the U.S. at the forefront of technological development, a priority that Trump has emphasized in his second term.
The new council signals a departure from Trump’s first term, when a similar advisory body lacked marquee figures and faced high-profile resignations and boycotts. This time, the willingness of major corporate leaders to participate suggests both a stronger alignment with the administration’s priorities and a recognition of the council’s potential influence on regulatory and innovation policy. Several members have already contributed to projects aligned with Trump’s agenda, including charitable and political support for presidential initiatives. Meta Platforms and Huang have reportedly donated to Trump’s causes, highlighting the intersection of business influence and policy advisory roles.
The White House statement framed the council’s mission in broader economic and societal terms. “Under President Trump, PCAST will focus on topics related to the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies present to the American workforce, and ensuring all Americans thrive in the Golden Age of Innovation,” it said. The council will be tasked with analyzing how AI, blockchain, and other technological advances can shape labor markets, cybersecurity, and national competitiveness, offering recommendations directly to the President and his administration.
Historically, similar councils have been established by previous presidents, including George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, serving as a brain trust for scientific and technological developments. The members typically reflect the priorities of the sitting administration, with an emphasis on translating technological expertise into actionable policy. In Trump’s first term, the council was formed only in the third year and featured business leaders with less public recognition. The presence of globally prominent CEOs this time marks a deliberate shift in strategy, signaling the administration’s intent to project both ambition and credibility in technology policymaking.
Analysts note that the council could wield considerable influence on U.S. AI strategy, including regulatory frameworks and international competitiveness. By incorporating leaders of companies that are actively shaping the AI landscape, the administration gains direct access to insights on innovation trends, potential risks, and industry needs. This could accelerate the adoption of policies aimed at maintaining American technological leadership in what some experts are calling a new industrial revolution.
The council is also poised to address the complex intersection of technology, labor, and national security. As AI adoption accelerates across sectors, questions around workforce displacement, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and ethical governance are becoming increasingly urgent. Having high-profile tech executives at the table ensures that policy recommendations are informed by those at the cutting edge of research and deployment, but it also raises questions about balancing corporate interests with public policy goals.
The Financial Times has highlighted that Trump’s move reflects a broader trend of engaging private sector leaders in shaping public policy on transformative technologies. Unlike his first term, where corporate advisors often hesitated or resigned amid political controversies, this iteration of PCAST demonstrates significant buy-in from Silicon Valley and beyond. Observers suggest that this cooperation could help the administration move faster on regulatory initiatives and secure bipartisan or international support for AI leadership.
As the council begins its work, attention will focus on how these industry leaders navigate the delicate balance between innovation, regulation, and public accountability. The outcomes could shape U.S. policy on AI, cryptocurrencies, and other emerging technologies for years to come, defining the country’s competitive stance in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The reestablishment of PCAST under Trump not only signals an ambitious effort to leverage Silicon Valley expertise but also reflects a broader strategy of embedding private-sector insight into federal policy decisions. By engaging some of the world’s most influential technologists, the administration aims to position the United States as the global standard-bearer for AI innovation and technological governance in the 21st century.
