April 2026

On March 25, President Donald Trump announced the appointment of 13 members to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). PCAST advises the president on matters related to science, technology, education, and innovation policy, including matters affecting federal scientific agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the Institute of Education Sciences.

A January 2025 Executive Order establishing PCAST states that members “shall have diverse perspectives and expertise in science, technology, education, and innovation.” The March appointments include several high-profile technology executives, such as Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Larry Ellison (Oracle), and Sergey Brin (Google).

The slate of appointments signals an emphasis on AI and quantum technologies. This focus contrasts with prior PCAST appointments, which have reflected the full breadth of the technology and scientific enterprise.

PCAST will be co-chaired by Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and David Sacks, who most recently served as the administration’s “AI and crypto czar” within OSTP.