David Sacks to Lead PCAST on AI as Sriram Krishnan Joins National Economic Council

David Sacks, the Trump administration's AI and crypto czar, is taking on a new role leading the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology with a focus on artificial intelligence, while Sriram Krishnan is joining the National Economic Council to focus on AI policy, according to reporting by Axios published Monday. The dual appointments signal a continued consolidation of AI policy authority within the White House's economic and technology councils. Sacks, a venture capitalist and co-founder of Craft Ventures, was named AI and crypto czar in January 2025. His elevation to lead PCAST reinforces his role as the administration's primary voice on AI governance and industrial strategy. Krishnan's arrival at the National Economic Council adds a second senior AI-focused official to the White House's economic policy apparatus. Krishnan previously served as a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where he focused on AI investments, and briefly held a role at the Office of Science and Technology Policy during the early months of the administration before departing. The appointments reflect the administration's view that AI policy is primarily an economic competitiveness issue rather than a regulatory one. The Trump White House has moved to roll back Biden-era AI executive orders and has emphasized reducing friction on AI development, particularly as the U.S. competes with China for leadership in frontier AI systems. A separate $100 million political effort to back Trump's AI agenda in the 2026 midterm elections was also reported Monday by Bloomberg, suggesting the administration's AI industrial policy is becoming a central organizing issue for allied political groups heading into the midterm cycle.