In a move that could significantly impact the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States, incoming president Donald Trump is reportedly considering the appointment of an "AI czar" to oversee federal AI regulation and governance. According to a report by Axios, this new role would be responsible for coordinating federal regulation and governmental use of AI, and would not require Senate confirmation.

The proposed AI czar role would be complementary to the agency chief AI officers established under President Joe Biden's AI executive order. However, Trump could choose to eliminate these officers and their offices in favor of a more top-down governance approach. This raises questions about the potential impact on the existing AI governance structure and the role of agencies in regulating AI development and deployment.

The AI czar role could also be combined with a "crypto czar" role, which the White House is also reportedly considering. This would suggest a broader focus on emerging technologies and their governance, rather than just AI alone. The implications of such a move could be far-reaching, with potential impacts on industries such as finance, healthcare, and transportation.

While no names have been put forth for consideration for the AI czar role, Axios reports that Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the co-leaders of the extra-governmental organization known as DOGE, will have significant input into who gets the role. This raises interesting questions about the potential influence of private sector interests on AI governance and policy.

The appointment of an AI czar could have significant implications for the development and deployment of AI in the United States. It could lead to a more coordinated and centralized approach to AI governance, which could in turn impact the development of AI technologies and their adoption across industries. However, it also raises concerns about the potential for over-regulation or misregulation, which could stifle innovation and progress in the field.

As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the potential appointment of an AI czar is just one of many signals that AI will be a key area of focus in the coming years. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies and their increasing adoption across industries, the need for effective governance and regulation is becoming increasingly urgent. The question is, what form will this governance take, and who will be at the helm?