White House Builds Out Science and Tech Office

The White House tapped two of its top tech officials to serve as U.S. deputy chief technology officers and named another fed to lead its telecom and cyber policy.

U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios on Wednesday announced Dr. Lynne Parker and Winter Casey would move up the ranks within the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Parker previously served as OSTP’s assistant director for artificial intelligence, and Casey served as the group’s assistant director for international affairs and senior advisor for technology policy.

“Given their expertise and impressive track record, I know they will do an exceptional job driving American leadership in technology,” Kratsios said on Twitter.

The Office of the Chief Technology Officer is charged with leading the administration’s efforts on a wide range of tech issues, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing and 5G. In their previous roles, Parker spearheaded the development of the administration’s national AI strategy and Casey worked with allies to build consensus on tech issues. 

On Thursday, Kratsios also announced Eric Burger would join OSTP as assistant director for telecom and cybersecurity, a role that will advise administration officials on issues such as 5G policy. He previously served as CTO at the Federal Communications Commission and also works as a research professor in computer science at Georgetown University.

The Trump administration has been slow to fill roles within its tech policy apparatus. Kratsios was confirmed as CTO in August after the position sat vacant for more than two years. It also took the White House nearly as long to instate Kelvin Droegemeier as OSTP director. 

Editor's note: This story was updated with an additional appointment.