President-elect Donald Trump has made David Sacks the White House AI and Crypto Czar. As a pro-crypto investor, Sacks’s new role is welcomed by the crypto community, expecting clarity regarding the legal framework and blockchain-related policies.
Trump also requested him to lead the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. This article will provide in-depth information about this newly-made role. Also, we will check whether Paul Sacks is apt for this position, pointing out the reactions of industry experts.
What is Meant by AI and Crypto Czar?
AI and Crypto Czar is a newly created part-time role to advise on and coordinate policies in blockchain and artificial intelligence. Czar will coordinate the creation of a new legal framework for the cryptocurrency industry, demanding by web3 enthusiasts for a long time. It is unclear how these rules will be implemented by the Czar, but it is confirmed that the role will have a pro-crypto stance that will steer us away from censorship and Big Tech bias.
Who is David O. Sacks? Personal Life & Career
Popularly admired as a venture capitalist, David Sacks has delved into various roles in his career, including CEO, COO, author, investor, film producer, and podcast co-host. Born on May 25th, 1972 in South Africa, he migrated to the U.S. with his family as a child. After schooling at Memphis University School in Tennessee, he joined Stanford University in 1994 to learn economics.
After earning his Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Chicago Law School in 1998, Sacks worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company. Then he joined Confinity, a startup by Max Levchin, Peter Thiel, and Luke Nosek. In 1999, Confinity launched its prestigious product PayPal. Sacks worked as COO of PayPal until eBay acquired the company in 2002.
The 2006 movie Thank You for Smoking was produced by David Sacks. After its success, Sacks co-founded various companies, including Yammer, a social network that was acquired by Microsoft in 2012 for 1.2 billion dollars. As a person who has been investing in companies for 20 years, Sacks is well-versed in the U.S. enterprise scenario.
Is David Sacks apt for his Role as AI and Crypto Czar?
The primary product of Glue, a company co-founded by David Sacks and his former colleague Evan Owen, is an AI tool that assists employees during online conversations. Beyond Glue, he has worked with various companies delivering AI assistance and blockchain services. More than that, he has a piece of extensive knowledge of U.S. legal frameworks and policies.
As a response to Trump’s reveal of his role, Sacks responded by saying that he would advance American competitiveness in these critical technologies. According to various crypto and AI experts, Sacks is perfect for this role, pointing to his years-long experience and expertise.
Other Crucial Roles Under Donald Trump’s Presidency
| Role | Name |
| Treasury Secretary | Scott Bessent |
| SEC Chairman | Paul Atkins |
| Secretary of State | Marco Rubio |
| Director of National Intelligence | Tulsi Gabbard |
| Defense Secretary | Pete Hegseth |
| Attorney General | Pam Bondi |
| Labor Secretary | Lori Chavez-DeRemer |
| Commerce Secretary | Howard Lutnick |
| Homeland Security Secretary | Kristi Noem |
| CIA Director | John Ratcliffe |
| Health and Human Services | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. |
| Agriculture Secretary | Brooke Rollins |
| Transportation Secretary | Sean Duffy |
| Veterans Affairs Secretary | Doug Collins |
| Interior Secretary | Doug Burgum |
| Energy Secretary | Chris Wright |
| Education Secretary | Linda McMahon |
| Environmental Protection Agency | Lee Zeldin |
| Housing and Urban Development | Scott Turner |
Final Thoughts
Sacks will be appointed as a Special Government Employee (SGE), a hybrid role created in 1962 to appoint outside experts as short-term government officials. This will allow him to work for just 130 days, and he can delve into his other duties during the rest of the year. However, this arrangement has resulted in mixed reactions from politicians and tech communities.
Left politicians and various web3 experts have doubts regarding the bias of the Donald Trump administration toward the private sector. This has intensified by the appointment of David Sacks. Let us wait and see how all these changes will turn out. More roles will be announced soon by the President.
