On a brisk December evening in Washington, the Senate chambers buzzed with anticipation as lawmakers cast their votes on a slate of high-profile nominations. Amid the flurry of activity, one name stood out: Ethan Klein, a nuclear engineer with an impressive pedigree, was confirmed as the United States chief technology officer (CTO). The vote, which split 53-43 along party lines with only Republican support and four Democrats not voting, marked the first time since 2021 that the nation would have a permanent CTO. Klein, who will also serve as associate director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), is only the fifth person to hold the CTO role since its creation by President Barack Obama in 2009, according to reporting from multiple outlets.
This confirmation didn’t come overnight. Klein was first nominated in March 2025, faced a September hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and finally advanced out of committee in November. The process, though lengthy, underscored the growing importance of technology policy at the highest levels of government. The White House, in a statement released late Thursday, lauded Klein’s appointment, saying he would “lead and coordinate national policy efforts to advance American leadership across critical and emerging technologies, including AI, quantum, nuclear energy, and biotechnology.”
For Klein, the road to this influential post has been anything but conventional. Before joining the current administration, he served as an emerging technology policy adviser during Donald Trump’s first term—a rare bipartisan credential in today’s polarized climate. His resume boasts stints in venture capital and financial advising, where he worked to help grow aerospace and defense companies as well as deep-tech startups. The White House highlighted his academic achievements, noting that Klein holds a Ph.D. in nuclear science and engineering, bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and physics from MIT, and an MBA from Stanford. It’s a rare blend of technical mastery and business acumen, a combination that many say is essential for steering the nation through an era of rapid technological change.
Industry leaders and technology advocates wasted no time in voicing their support. Michael Kratsios, the previous CTO and now director of OSTP, offered effusive praise: “I’ve worked with Dr. Ethan Klein for nearly a decade and seen firsthand his expertise as a policymaker and technologist. He brings unparalleled experience, thoughtful leadership, and results-driven energy to the role of U.S. CTO.” Such endorsements weren’t limited to government insiders. The Consumer Technology Association and CTIA, which represents wireless technology companies, also applauded the decision. Scott Corley, executive director of the Task Force on American Innovation—a nonpartisan coalition of businesses, associations, and research universities—emphasized Klein’s strategic outlook: “Dr. Klein’s experience in both government and research has given him a clear-eyed appreciation of the strategic competition we face and the imperative to sustain and expand our nation’s commitment to fundamental research, lest we cede leadership in fields that will define the future.”
That sense of urgency about global competition, especially with China, has become a recurring theme in recent months. Just a day after Klein’s confirmation, former President Donald Trump made headlines at the White House Christmas Party by publicly praising Indian-origin tech expert Sriram Krishnan for his pivotal role in shaping the administration’s artificial intelligence strategy. The moment, captured in a widely circulated video, underscored the administration’s focus on technological supremacy as a matter of national security.
Trump’s remarks were direct: “Without him, things on AI would not function well.” He credited Krishnan as a driving force behind the White House’s new executive order on artificial intelligence, which seeks to accelerate AI development in the United States while minimizing regulatory hurdles for domestic firms. The order, which directs federal agencies to prioritize competitiveness and national security, is explicitly framed around maintaining an edge over China in advanced technologies.
Krishnan, whose journey from senior roles in Silicon Valley to a top White House advisory position has been cited as a classic example of American meritocracy, responded by highlighting the executive order’s broad industry support. “The order is designed to help the US stay ahead in the global AI race,” he told Trump, adding that it currently operates through executive authority. The administration, he explained, is seeking congressional approval to make its provisions permanent—a process that’s gained momentum thanks to Trump’s direct engagement with lawmakers. Krishnan noted growing support on Capitol Hill and credited the president’s hands-on approach for the shift in legislative sentiment.
The intersection of Klein’s and Krishnan’s stories reflects a broader trend: technical expertise is no longer a luxury but a necessity in U.S. policy circles. As the country grapples with the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence, quantum computing, nuclear energy, and biotechnology, leaders with deep technical backgrounds are being tapped for the highest levels of government service. Their appointments are seen as a signal that the U.S. is serious about retaining its technological edge, especially as rivals like China ramp up investment in science and research.
Industry groups and policy advocates have been vocal about the stakes. The Task Force on American Innovation, for instance, points to China’s aggressive investment in emerging technologies as a wake-up call. “We face strategic competition that demands sustained commitment to research and innovation,” Corley emphasized. The White House echoed these sentiments, framing Klein’s confirmation as a key step in “advancing American leadership” in critical fields. The message is clear: resting on past laurels is not an option if the U.S. hopes to remain at the forefront of global innovation.
But the push for technological leadership isn’t just about geopolitics. It’s also about ensuring that American companies and workers remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy. By reducing regulatory friction, as outlined in the new AI executive order, the administration aims to foster an environment where innovation can flourish. At the same time, the focus on national security underscores the dual-use nature of many emerging technologies, which can be harnessed for both economic and military advantage.
For Klein and Krishnan, the path ahead is daunting but full of possibility. Their rise to prominence is as much about individual achievement as it is about a national reckoning with the realities of 21st-century competition. As Klein steps into his new role, he does so with the backing of a broad coalition—government officials, industry leaders, and research advocates alike—who see in him the expertise and vision needed to navigate an increasingly complex technological landscape.
With the stakes higher than ever, the nation’s new CTO and its AI strategists are poised to shape not just policy, but the very future of American innovation. Their leadership may well determine whether the U.S. can maintain its edge—or whether the next technological revolution will be led from somewhere else.
