President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to establish an advisory council on science and technology.
What Is PCAST’s Purpose?
The White House said Thursday the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, or PCAST, will spearhead U.S. innovation and competitiveness in critical and emerging technologies by eliminating bureaucratic barriers and providing evidence-based recommendations to the president to ensure that the latest technological advancements and scientific discoveries inform policies.
The assistant to the president for science and technology and the White House special adviser for artificial intelligence and crypto will co-chair PCAST, which will include up to 24 members, including technologists and scientists from government, industry and academia.
According to the EO, the Department of Energy will provide funding and technical and administrative support for PCAST, which is authorized to run for two years.