In response to President-elect Trump's consideration of appointing an AI czar to oversee federal policy and the government's use of artificial intelligence, the Center for Data Innovation has issued a 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," said Omaar. The role would focus on two main priorities: accelerating adoption and safeguarding U.S. competitiveness in AI technology.

Omaar suggests that the czar should ensure government agencies adopt, deploy, and disseminate AI solutions while holding them accountable for results. This involves integrating AI across federal operations to enhance public services, modernize infrastructure, and provide tangible benefits such as improved healthcare and more efficient disaster response. Additionally, policies should be coordinated to accelerate private-sector adoption by streamlining procurement processes and reducing regulatory barriers.

Furthermore, Omaar emphasizes that the AI czar should champion U.S. competitiveness in AI by opposing state-level regulations like California's AI laws, which could fragment the national market. The czar should also resist overreaching enforcement actions from entities like the Department of Justice that might hinder technological advancement.

Omaar recently wrote about how President-elect Trump could shape AI policy by prioritizing adoption and innovation to deliver benefits for Americans while maintaining U.S. leadership in this field.