AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su joins NVIDIA Chief Scientist Dr. William Dally, Microsoft Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Eric Horvitz, & Google Cloud Chief Information Security Officer Phil Venables to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to help advise the president "on policy matters where the understanding of science, technology, and innovation is key."
Drawing from the nation’s most talented and accomplished individuals, President Biden’s PCAST includes 20 elected members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, five MacArthur “Genius” Fellows, two former Cabinet secretaries, and two Nobel laureates. Its members include experts in astrophysics and agriculture, biochemistry and computer engineering, ecology and entrepreneurship, immunology and nanotechnology, neuroscience and national security, social science and cybersecurity, and more.
The members represent the most diverse PCAST in U.S. history. PCAST is traditionally co-chaired by the President’s Science Advisor and 1-2 external co-chairs; since its inception in 1957, no women have ever served as co-chairs. President Biden’s PCAST has two women co-chairs. And, this PCAST reflects the President’s commitment to build an Administration that truly looks like America: for the first time ever, women make up half of PCAST, and people of color and immigrants make up more than one-third of PCAST. Its diversity will help the council bring to bear a wide range of perspectives to address the nation’s most pressing opportunities and challenges, so that science, technology, and engineering benefits all Americans.
Honored to be named to the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to work with an amazing group of people on important issues impacting our nation. https://t.co/6qZEIRcVuB
— Lisa Su (@LisaSu) September 22, 2021
The President's Council on Advisors of Science and Technology is lead by California Institute of Technology's Dr. Frances Arnold, MIT's Dr. Maria Zuber, and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Dr. Eric Lander. Dr. Lisa Su, along with 30 other members from various organizations, companies, and leading universities in relation to the fields of science and technology, will help to advise the President of the United States to help with key scientific discussions, such as
- What can we learn from the pandemic about what is possible—or what ought to be possible— to address the widest range of needs related to our public health?
- How can breakthroughs in science and technology create powerful new solutions to address climate change—propelling market-driven change, jump-starting economic growth, improving health, and growing jobs, especially in communities that have been left behind?
- How can the United States ensure that it is the world leader in the technologies and industries of the future that will be critical to our economic prosperity and national security, especially in competition with China?
- How can we guarantee that the fruits of science and technology are fully shared across America and among all Americans?
- How can we ensure the long-term health of science and technology in our nation?
Today, @POTUS announced his President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (#PCAST). It’s an amazing group, consisting of 30 of the nation’s top scientists & technologists, charged with advising the President and @WhiteHouse on S&T. (1/7) pic.twitter.com/MJaqA6LzSq
— Eric Lander (@EricLander46) September 22, 2021
The PCAST announcement also states that the council members are appointees of the President, and will be "reimbursed only for travel, meals, and accommodations in accordance with government regulations," meaning that no council member will be able to profit off of the designated position that they are held. However, one could speculate that the allowance to help influence the shape of policies and regulations when it comes to the fields of science and technology could pose to be very valuable, especially the executives from the leading tech companies.
As of the end of this month, President Biden has had several challenges during his first term, such as the global pandemic, continued chip shortages affecting all industries, cryptocurrency rules and regulations, and continued latent hostility with China.
Source: White House
