President Donald J. Trump announced on Mar. 25 the appointment of the first members to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The council, created by Executive Order, is intended to bring together leading figures in science and technology to advise the president and offer recommendations for strengthening American leadership in these fields.
The newly formed council will be co-chaired by David Sacks and Michael Kratsios. Among those appointed are Marc Andreessen, Sergey Brin, Safra Catz, Michael Dell, Jacob DeWitte, Fred Ehrsam, Larry Ellison, David Friedberg, Jensen Huang, John Martinis, Bob Mumgaard, Lisa Su, and Mark Zuckerberg.
According to the announcement from the White House, "Under President Trump, PCAST will focus on topics related to the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies present to the American workforce, and ensuring all Americans thrive in the Golden Age of Innovation."
The council may include up to 24 members. The White House said that additional appointments will be made soon along with details about PCAST's first meeting.
Since its origins under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 with the creation of a Science Advisory Board, each president has established an advisory committee composed of scientists, engineers and industry leaders.
