Michael Kratsios, a former Chief Technology Officer of the United States and a key figure in emerging technology policy, is set to become the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The announcement was made by President Donald Trump on December 22, 2024, with Kratsios now scheduled for a Senate nomination hearing on February 25, 2025, under the oversight of Senator Ted Cruz, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Kratsios has built a career at the intersection of technology, innovation, and government policy, holding influential roles both in the private sector and within the federal government. He previously served as the fourth U.S. Chief Technology Officer from 2019 to 2021, leading artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and 5G initiatives at the White House. He also played a key role in shaping the American AI Initiative, which set a national strategy for AI leadership and regulatory policy.
His government experience extended beyond the White House when he was appointed Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering in 2020, overseeing the Department of Defense’s $106 billion R&D budget and managing agencies such as DARPA, the Space Development Agency, and the Missile Defense Agency. During his time at the Pentagon, Kratsios pushed for expanded 5G experimentation, leading to a $600 million investment in military test sites, and advocated for greater inclusion of historically black colleges and minority-serving institutions in defense R&D.
Before entering public service, Kratsios worked as a venture capitalist at Thiel Capital, serving as chief of staff to entrepreneur Peter Thiel. He also held positions at Barclays Capital and Clarium Capital Management, developing a background in finance and investment in technology startups.
Kratsios was also a key U.S. representative on the international stage, serving as the head of delegation at G7 and G20 technology ministerials and leading U.S. efforts at the OECD to develop AI policy guidelines. His work was instrumental in countering China’s influence in AI policy and guiding the U.S. to join the Global Partnership on AI.
If confirmed, Kratsios would become the Director of OSTP and Science Advisor to the President, a Cabinet-level position responsible for shaping scientific research, technological innovation, and national security technology policy.