In a December 5 post on Truth Social, President-elect Donald Trump announced that UChicago alum David Sacks (J.D. ’98) will guide policy in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency during his forthcoming administration. The newly created position of “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar” welcomes Sacks, who will bring a background as a former PayPal executive, general partner of an early-stage venture fund, and Silicon Valley leader in conservative views. He also co-hosts the podcast All-In, which discusses current events and market conditions.
He will lead the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, which has provided science-based recommendations to U.S. presidents since it was established in 1933 during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration.
Sacks, who graduated from the UChicago Law School, is a current member of the Polsky Council, which “provide[s] ongoing guidance and support to the Polsky Center [for Entrepreneurship and Innovation].” The Law School separately hosted Sacks for a fireside chat in 2014.
Acknowledging this newly created role, Sacks shared via X (formerly Twitter) that he “look[s] forward to advancing American competitiveness in [artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency].” As a “czar,” Sacks will bypass Senate confirmation and immediately begin providing policy recommendations following Trump’s inauguration next January. While Sacks will not have direct authority over government agencies, he will be able to directly advise Trump on future decisions regarding cryptocurrency and AI. Along with Elon Musk, whom he previously collaborated with at PayPal, Sacks’s appointment may signal a burgeoning relationship between the White House and these industries.
