President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Scott Bessent will not serve as his artificial intelligence czar, ending speculation over the new role. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Bessent does not want the position and is performing well as Treasury secretary, where he will remain.
Trump’s decision follows recent reports that Bessent was a leading candidate for the role, which the president described as the "Super Intelligence (SI) Czar." The White House has not yet named a replacement for the position, which Trump previously said would include the creation of an "AI force."
Bessent’s recent activities included leading discussions on AI with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York ahead of this week’s summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. During those talks, Bessent said the U.S. proposed an AI safety notification mechanism and bilateral dialogue, with a focus on national security concerns.
The White House did not provide further details on who may be appointed to the AI czar role or how the "AI force" would be structured. Trump has repeatedly downplayed the need for AI regulation, arguing that additional oversight is unnecessary despite growing concerns from lawmakers and researchers.
Lawmakers and experts have raised alarms about AI risks, including warnings from top researchers that AI systems could pose existential threats. Some Democratic and Republican legislators have called for stricter measures to address potential dangers, though Trump has not indicated support for such steps.
The announcement comes amid broader discussions about AI governance, with no timeline provided for when the AI czar role might be filled or how the "AI force" would be implemented.