Bessent Leads Race for Trump's New AI Czar Role

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is positioning himself as the leading candidate for President Donald Trump’s newly created “AI czar” position. According to sources familiar with the matter, Bessent has been the primary figure in recent high-level discussions regarding artificial intelligence policy and international security.

The nomination is not yet final, but Bessent’s recent diplomatic activity has strengthened his case. He recently engaged in critical talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, focusing on how the two nations can manage risks associated with advanced AI systems.

Diplomacy drives the nomination push

Bessent and He Lifeng discussed establishing a notification mechanism to facilitate communication about AI incidents that threaten national security. This dialogue was part of broader efforts to create a formal channel for US-China discussions on artificial intelligence, a move reported by Semafor.

By taking the lead on these sensitive international conversations, Bessent has demonstrated the diplomatic bandwidth required for the role. This distinguishes him from other potential candidates who may lack recent experience in cross-border technology negotiations.

Financial risks shape policy focus

Bessent’s interest in AI governance has intensified after financial institutions warned that advanced systems could expose their infrastructure to vulnerabilities. As the head of the Treasury Department, he has a direct stake in ensuring that AI development does not destabilize the financial sector.

In recent remarks, Bessent emphasized that humans must ultimately remain responsible for the actions of AI systems. His approach suggests a focus on regulatory clarity and risk management rather than purely promotional or developmental goals.

Internal competition remains intense

Despite Bessent’s momentum, the decision is not set in stone. President Trump is known for considering unexpected candidates, and several other officials are in the running. These include Michael Kratsios, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Scott Kupor, the director of the Office of Personnel Management.

There have also been internal tensions that could complicate the selection process. Reports indicate that Bessent and National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross previously clashed over the handling of a specific AI model, suggesting that the administration is still working through differing viewpoints on AI oversight.