Michael Kratsios steers Trump AI policy from White House OSTP
Michael Kratsios, the 39-year-old director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), has become a central figure in the Trump administration's approach to technology. A former aide to Peter Thiel, Kratsios has transformed OSTP from a largely ceremonial body into a key engine for setting tech policy across the U.S. government. He now coordinates critical emerging technologies,…
Key points
- Michael Kratsios, 39, directs White House OSTP and coordinates AI, nuclear, and quantum policy.
- Kratsios, a former Peter Thiel aide, has worked for Trump since January 20, 2017.
- He transformed OSTP from a ceremonial office into a key driver of federal tech strategy.
The article details Kratsios' background, noting he has worked for Trump since January 20, 2017. He initially joined the transition team after watching Trump’s 2016 victory speech from Thiel Capital. Kratsios identified OSTP as an underutilized office with significant potential, arguing that previous directors, often PhD scientists, lacked the bureaucratic skills to make the office consequential. He views the role as a way to implement a comprehensive tech agenda that previous administrations had neglected.
The piece includes anecdotes from a recent National Medal of Science and Technology ceremony, where Kratsios organized a surprise video tribute to Trump’s uncle, John G. Trump. This event highlighted Kratsios' ability to manage the President’s preferences while coordinating high-profile tech leaders like Jensen Huang, Elon Musk, and Satya Nadella. The article positions Kratsios as one of the few individuals with the latitude to shape AI policy in an administration where the President has personally commandeered the issue.
A profile of White House OSTP Director Michael Kratsios, an ex-Peter Thiel aide who is among a handful of players steering the Trump administration's AI policy
colossus.com · 1 November 2026
Loading the full article…
This text was published by colossus.com and written by Harry Lambert. It is reproduced here with attribution so you can read it in full; the rights remain with the publisher. Read it at the source ↗
The headline, key points and digest above were generated by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources. Automated summaries can contain errors: the sources are the record. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Published by Martin K., who runs Digest AI and handles corrections.
More in Policy & Regulation
All →- Anthropic donates $900,000 to California Democrats ahead of election · 1 src
- Wikimedia Foundation urges nuanced fair use ruling in New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft · 4 src
- Anthropic updates Claude to block AI-generated game clones and reverse engineering · 11 src
- OpenAI adds firearms limits for teens and plans safety report · 4 src
- Brazilian court fines lawyers $16,000 for hidden prompt injection in filing · 1 src
Comments
via GitHub Discussions