Trump's AI Adviser Faces Scrutiny Over Potential Conflicts of Interest in AI Policy
David Sacks, President Trump's top advisor on technology and cryptocurrency policy, is under scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest related to his role in shaping AI policy. Sacks, a prominent figure in Silicon Valley, has been instrumental in crafting an executive order aimed at establishing a federal framework for artificial intelligence, which seeks to limit state-level AI regulations. This move has sparked debate over whether Sacks is leveraging his position to benefit his financial interests, as he holds significant investments in AI-related companies through his venture capital firm, Craft Ventures. Despite divesting from major tech companies like Amazon and Meta, Sacks retains over 400 investments in AI firms. Critics, including government ethics expert Kathleen Clark, argue that the ethics waivers granted to Sacks are akin to a 'presidential pardon,' allowing him to influence policy without fear of conflict-of-interest investigations.