Greek-American Michael Kratsios, the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said he wants to make America dominate AI and every other facet of tech and science.
In an interview with the New York Post (NYP), he emphasized America’s role in leading AI and technology. He sees a transformative opportunity: “We can harness [AI] for the benefit of the American people . . . to improve the American way of life, to increase our national security, to increase economic growth, to empower American workers.”
Kratsios is set to unveil an AI action in July. He thinks one of the biggest changes Trump has made is bringing a new mindset to government.
“The Biden administration led by a spirit of fear rather than promise—analyzing and trying to anticipate harm that technology can bring to the country,” he told the NYP.
Reflecting on global competition, he warned of challenges: “The real question is if no one is using it, if the government is not adopting it . . . that worries me.” Kratsios stressed the importance of adopting and exporting American technology, stating, “Everything should be running on American chips and American models.”
His immediate focus—he told NYP—is on crafting an action plan to ensure America’s dominance in AI, which he views as pivotal for economic and national security: “We have the opportunity to harness these amazing technologies to make the lives of Americans better . . . And the only way that we can do this is to intentionally choose it.”
Kratsios acknowledges the broad interest in tech policy but underscores the need to balance innovation with regulation, particularly amidst global competition: “We are in a privileged position—everyone in the world wants to use our technology . . . We just have to be better at getting it out there.”
Michael Kratsios: Advancing American dominance in AI and emerging tech
Kratsios was sworn in on March 28 after his confirmation by the US Senate which was resoundingly bipartisan, passing by a vote of 74-25 on March 25—fittingly, Greek Independence Day. At just 38 years old, Kratsios became the youngest person in US history to hold this influential role.
“It’s an honor to serve as Director of the @whitehouse Office of Science & Technology Policy,” Kratsios said in a post on the social platform X. “Advancing American dominance in AI, emerging tech, and breakthrough science has never been so critical. Under @POTUS’ leadership, we will unleash the Golden Age of American Innovation!”
Kratsios’ family is from Volissos, Chios, and the city of Kastoria, both in Greece. At his confirmation hearing in the first Trump administration before the United States Senate Commerce Committee, he paid tribute to his Greek roots, which instilled an enduring optimism for a better tomorrow.
“My mother and my grandfather came to the United States from their native Greece in search of a more prosperous future. They instilled in me that enduring optimism for a better tomorrow. And I believe that embracing technological innovation, building new technologies in America and shaping those technologies with American values will lead us to that stronger future,” he stated in his opening remarks.
Related: Trump Names Greek-American Michael Kratsios to Lead Science and Technology Policy