U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is being mentioned as a candidate for U.S. President Donald Trump's next AI czar. As Trump unveils plans for a new AI organisation called the AI Force, attention is turning to his choice of successor, with Bessent among several names being discussed.

Cointelegraph, a blockchain media outlet, reported on Sept. 23 that Bessent was being cited as a leading contender among sources familiar with the selection. The reported list also includes Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Scott Cooper, head of the Office of Personnel Management, and Sean Cairncross, director of the National Cyber Directorate. Cooper is a former managing partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z).

The White House, however, drew a line against speculation that a specific candidate had been chosen. White House spokesman Kush Desai said reports on personnel decisions that have not been officially announced should be regarded as "baseless speculation". No final decision on the next AI czar has been made so far, according to reports.

Speculation about the selection began after Trump on Sept. 19 outlined his AI czar and AI Force plan on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump proposed a new organisation to regulate AI and respond to risks, but did not disclose the AI Force's specific roles, powers or structure.

The next AI czar post is drawing attention following the departure of David Sacks. Trump appointed Sacks as AI and crypto czar, but Sacks stepped down after reaching the work limit for special government employees. He has continued to advise Trump through the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

If Bessent is selected, there is also interest in the possibility that AI policy would not be limited to technology regulation and could intersect with Treasury Department work such as industrial investment, financing and economic policy. For now, he is only being mentioned as one of the candidates, and his selection has not been confirmed.

Attention is expected to turn to how the Trump administration will define the AI Force's role and authority. Another key variable is whether the next AI czar will handle only AI policy or also oversee crypto policy, as Sacks did.