WASHINGTON— In response to President-elect Trump’s consideration of appointing an AI czar to coordinate federal policy and the government’s use of AI, the Center for Data Innovation issued the following statement from Senior Policy Manager Hodan Omaar:
Appointing an AI czar signals that the incoming administration is placing AI at the forefront of its agenda—and rightly so. As the lead for federal AI efforts, the czar should focus on two key priorities to help fulfill the President-elect’s economic goals: accelerating adoption and safeguarding U.S. competitiveness.
First, the czar should ensure government agencies are focused on adopting, deploying, and disseminating AI solutions—and hold them accountable for results. This means integrating AI across federal operations to enhance public services, modernize infrastructure, and deliver tangible benefits to citizens, such as improved healthcare, smarter energy systems, and more efficient disaster response. Additionally, the czar should coordinate policies that accelerate private-sector adoption by streamlining procurement processes, offering incentives, and cutting unnecessary regulatory barriers. By fostering an environment where AI moves from development to action, the administration can ensure it delivers real-world advantages for all Americans.
Second, the AI czar should serve as a steadfast champion of U.S. competitiveness in AI. This includes pushing back against state-level regulations, like California’s AI laws, that risk fragmenting the national market and hindering innovation. The czar should also push back against overreaching enforcement actions, such as those by the Department of Justice, that could inadvertently stifle technological advancement. By advocating for balanced regulatory frameworks and promoting policies that support innovation, the czar can help maintain the United States’ edge in AI.
Omaar recently wrote on how President-elect Trump could shape AI policy by prioritizing adoption, innovation, and diffusion to deliver tangible benefits for Americans while maintaining U.S. leadership and extending AI’s advantages beyond tech hubs.
Contact: Nicole Hinojosa, press@datainnovation.org
