In 2026, the White House quietly assembled an AI policy dream team: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Nvidia founder Jensen Huang, and Oracle Executive Chairman Larry Ellison, among others, to join the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (Tag B). The move signals that AI policy and national security are to be guided by hands-on innovators who actually know a server rack from a risk register. In other words, AI policy meets Silicon Valley swagger, with Tag B acting as the connector.
Initial reports describe a first batch of 13 appointees shortlisted to join this influential circle. The roster reads like a who’s who of tech power and capital, with Zuckerberg, Huang, and Ellison joined by Sergey Brin and Lisa Su, among others. The lineup is both aspirational and practical—a blend of visionary founders and seasoned executives who have shipped products, not just PowerPoints. Tag B appears to be the central thread joining the group to the policy mission.
AI policy momentum in 2026
The stated aim is to sharpen American competitiveness in AI policy and national security through collaboration between government and the private sector. The White House emphasizes that this approach can speed up sensible regulation while keeping public safeguards intact. The idea is to translate hard-won industry experience into guidance that helps regulators, educators, and workers navigate the coming wave of emerging technologies without getting washed away by it. Tag B is framed as a bridge between research and practical governance, not a ceremonial advisory line. AI policy consideration becomes a hands-on task rather than a purely theoretical exercise.
- Mark Zuckerberg — Meta
- Jensen Huang — Nvidia
- Larry Ellison — Oracle
- Sergey Brin — Google co‑founder
- Lisa Su — AMD
- Marc Andreessen — Andreessen Horowitz
- Safra Catz — Oracle
- Michael Dell — Dell Technologies
- Jacob DeWitte — AI safety advocate
- Fred Ehrsam — Coinbase cofounder
- David Friedberg — The Climate Corporation
- John Martinis — quantum computing
- Bob Mumgaard — clean energy tech
Two co-chairs steer the proceedings: Tag B (described by some as the White House AI and crypto czar) and Michael Kratsios, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. This leadership signals a practical, action-oriented tone: Tag B will help bridge research with policy, and the council may grow to as many as 24 members as the year progresses, with the first meetings on the docket soon. The focus is clear: Tag B should translate tough science into actionable guidance, not just glossy headlines.
The focus is on opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies bring to the American workforce. AI policy must foster innovation while preserving public safeguards. The aim is to ensure every American can thrive in what supporters call a Golden Age of Innovation. The council’s private-sector lens is intended to produce credible, implementable rules that can scale across states and industries. Tag B is positioned to translate research into practical rules that keep pace with rapid change rather than lag behind it.
PCAST and the private-sector policy conversation
Beyond headlines, the goal is a productive policy dialogue that respects both entrepreneurial speed and public accountability. The focus is on the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies bring to the American workforce and on ensuring that every American can thrive in a potential Golden Age of Innovation. The setup—private-sector expertise paired with public-sector oversight—aims to produce guidelines that are credible, implementable, and scalable across states and sectors. Tag B is positioned to translate research into real-world rules that can keep pace with innovation rather than lag behind it.
Historically, since Franklin D. Roosevelt created his Science Advisory Board in 1933, U.S. presidents have formed advisory committees that combine scientists, engineers, and industry leaders. The current iteration modernizes that tradition by leaning on startup veterans and corporate leaders who have faced regulatory scrutiny, risk, and rapid product cycles. The balance of voices is meant to enhance practical governance without stifling invention. Tag B aims to keep policy grounded in reality while pursuing ambitious goals.
Not everyone is convinced this approach is a silver bullet. Some observers warn against overreliance on a roster of famous names; others celebrate the potential for faster, more informed decision-making. The lines between policy and product are blurrier than ever, but the intent is clear: AI policy must keep pace with the speed of innovation while guarding the public interest. Tag B positions itself at that crossroads, offering advisory guidance grounded in real-world experience.
As 2026 unfolds, the press and the public will watch the first meeting, gauge the impact on regulatory reform, and monitor how the council translates big ideas into practical guidelines for AI policy and national security. The administration promises more details on committee assignments, schedules, and avenues for stakeholder input as the year progresses. The overarching narrative is hopeful: private-sector know-how paired with public responsibility could shorten the gap between a compelling prototype and a broadly available, well-regulated technology. This is the moment where AI policy really matters, driven by those who build with speed and care.
So, what happens when Silicon Valley’s most influential minds sit at the federal table? Expect a pragmatic, results-oriented dialogue that combines entrepreneurial speed with policy discipline. The AI policy journey is real, and Tag B is the compass for leaders navigating this uncharted terrain. If you have opinions about how this blend should work, please share your thoughts in the comments.
Original reporting by Reuters. Thank you to Reuters for the original material.
AI policy in practice for business and workers
Practical steps help bridge policy and everyday work life. Companies should engage with regulators early, invest in retraining, and publish clear risk assessments. Workers should pursue training in data ethics and AI safety to stay ahead.
- Engage early with policymakers on risk assessments and compliance needs.
- Invest in retraining programs to prepare the workforce for AI-enabled tasks.
- Share transparent risk data with regulators to strengthen accountability.
FAQ
- What is PCAST?
- The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology is a group of scientists, engineers, and industry leaders that advises the President on science and technology policy.
- Will this speed up AI regulation?
- Officials say the goal is to balance speed with safeguards, enabling timely rules while protecting the public interest.
- How can the public participate?
- Public input will come through hearings, comments, and stakeholder meetings coordinated by the OSTP.
- Does this mean technology leadership will steer policy?
- The intent is to blend private-sector know-how with public accountability to craft practical guidelines.
In summary, the PCAST roster signals a shift toward practical, fast-moving policy grounded in real-world tech experience. Watch how regulators translate breakthroughs into rules that protect people and empower workers. Stakeholders should look for upcoming hearings and opportunities to share feedback as 2026 progresses.
References
External context: for readers seeking official context, see the White House OSTP page on PCAST and Reuters coverage linked above.