Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Bessent Could Take On Trump’s New AI Czar Role
Scott Bessent may get a new job helping President Donald Trump with artificial intelligence.
This job could be called the AI czar.
Trump said he wants to appoint an AI adviser and create an AI force.
He has not explained exactly how these plans would work.
One source said Bessent could get the role, but another source said no decision has been made.
The Treasury Department did not immediately comment.
Bessent recently talked with Chinese officials about AI safety and national security.
Some lawmakers are worried about AI risks, while Trump says more AI rules are not needed.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent could become President Donald Trump’s artificial intelligence adviser, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
A second source said no decision had been made, and the Treasury offered no immediate comment.
Trump said Saturday that he plans to appoint an “AI czar” and create an “AI force,” but gave no implementation details.
Bessent recently led U.S.-China talks that focused heavily on AI and proposed an AI safety notification mechanism and bilateral AI dialogue.
Bessent also handles responsibilities involving trade policy, Ukraine minerals negotiations, the Internal Revenue Service and Iran sanctions.
- Who
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and President Donald Trump are central to the possible appointment; lawmakers and Chinese officials are involved in related AI discussions.
- What
- Bessent could become Trump’s artificial intelligence adviser, or “AI czar,” while Trump plans to create an AI force.
- When
- The report was dated September 22; Trump announced his plans on Saturday, and Bessent held related U.S.-China talks on Sunday.
- Where
- The possible role concerns the U.S. government; Bessent’s recent talks with Chinese officials took place in New York ahead of a summit in Washington.
- Why
- The discussions come as lawmakers raise concerns about AI risks and as the United States considers AI safety and national-security issues.
Greater AI Oversight
Limited Additional Regulation
AI regulation
Greater AI Oversight
Lawmakers in Washington are increasingly concerned about risks posed by artificial intelligence and are seeking greater attention to AI safety.
Limited Additional Regulation
President Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed AI concerns and argued that additional regulation is unnecessary.
AI safeguards
Greater AI Oversight
Bessent has proposed an AI safety notification mechanism and a U.S.-China AI dialogue focused particularly on national-security concerns.
Limited Additional Regulation
Trump’s proposed AI czar and AI force have not been defined, so their responsibilities and safeguards remain unclear.
- Potential appointee
- Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury secretary
- Proposed role
- President Donald Trump’s artificial intelligence adviser, known as an “AI czar”
- Decision status
- No decision had been made, according to a second source
- Trump’s plan
- Appoint an AI adviser and create an AI force
- Recent talks
- Bessent led discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York
- Proposed cooperation
- An AI safety notification mechanism and a new U.S.-China AI dialogue
- Other responsibilities
- Bessent is also acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and oversees Treasury sanctions efforts against Iran
