Trump Brings Zuckerberg and Huang Together for a Strategic AI Council

A Council of Sages for the AI Era

The White House recently announced the formation of a new advisory council, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). This group, dubbed the "council of sages," is made up of thirteen influential figures from the technology and science sectors. Its primary mission will be to provide advice to the president on crucial issues such as artificial intelligence, as well as other technological and scientific aspects. Among the notable members of this prestigious council are prominent names such as Mark Zuckerberg from Meta, Jensen Huang from Nvidia, Sergey Brin from Google, Michael Dell from Dell, and Lisa Su from AMD. Larry Ellison, the CEO of Oracle, is also part of this elite group.

While the council currently has thirteen members, it is expected to expand to twenty-four members in the future. The group will be overseen by David Sacks, the White House AI advisor, and Michael Kratsios, the technology advisor.

A Strategy to Dominate AI

The establishment of this council responds to a well-defined strategy: to ensure that the United States maintains its position as a global leader in the field of artificial intelligence. Faced with an increasingly competitive China, particularly in AI and robotics, the American president is determined not to lose ground. AI has become a central theme of his second term, illustrated by initiatives such as the Genesis mission and the development of new laws.

This initiative also reflects a concerning trend: the closeness between the tech sector and political power. The goal is not so much to regulate or identify the risks associated with AI, but rather to promote its rapid integration into institutions. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, who is not a member of the council, recently criticized this trend in an essay, highlighting the potential dangers of this collusion.

Since his return in 2024, Trump has adopted a more conciliatory approach toward the tech sector, which was previously at odds with his policies. This strategy seems to be paying off, with Silicon Valley leaders now more inclined to collaborate.

A Council with Clear Ambitions

This is not the first time a council like PCAST has been formed. The concept was first introduced in 2001 by George W. Bush and has been reactivated several times by his successors, including Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. Historically, these councils included members primarily from academia and industry. However, this new version stands out for its focus on AI and the notable presence of CEOs from major tech companies.

By forming this council, Donald Trump aims to strengthen the United States' position in the field of artificial intelligence while ensuring that influential voices from the tech sector play an active role in shaping future policies.