	Overview

In November 2007, Senator Barack Obama announced his intention, if elected President, to appoint a federal chief technology officer (CTO). On April 18, 2009, President Obama appointed Virginia Secretary of Technology Aneesh P. Chopra to serve as "America's Chief Technology Officer." In his capacity as assistant to the President and CTO, Mr. Chopra also serves as a member of the White House Domestic Policy Council under a provision of Executive Order 13500 (amending Executive Order 12859) issued by President Obama on February 5, 2009. In announcing the appointment of Mr. Chopra, President Obama broadly defined the role of the CTO as promoting "technological innovation to help achieve our most important priorities—from creating jobs and reducing health care costs to keeping our nation secure." Prior to Mr. Chopra's appointment, details related to the CTO position remained uncertain. Prior to Mr. Chopra's appointment, several analysts proposed a variety of roles for an Obama administration CTO. Since then, some federal agencies have established CTO positions. Among TA's duties:
to conduct technology policy analyses to improve United States industrial productivity, technology, and innovation; to determine the relationships of technological developments and international technology transfers to the output, employment, productivity, and world trade performance; to determine the influence of economic, labor and other conditions, industrial structure and management, and government policies on technological developments in particular industrial sectors worldwide; to identify technological needs, problems, and opportunities within and across industrial sectors that, if addressed, could make a significant contribution to the economy of the United States; to assess whether the capital, technical and other resources being allocated to domestic industrial sectors which are likely to generate new technologies are adequate; to propose and support studies and policy experiments to determine the effectiveness of measures with the potential of advancing United States technological innovation; to encourage and assist the creation of centers and other joint initiatives by State or local governments, regional organizations, private businesses, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or Federal laboratories to encourage technology transfer, to stimulate innovation, and to promote an appropriate climate for investment in technology-related industries; to propose and encourage cooperative research to promote the common use of resources, to improve training programs and curricula, to stimulate interest in high technology careers, and to encourage the effective dissemination of technology skills within the wider community; to serve as a focal point for discussions among United States companies on topics of interest to industry and labor, including discussions regarding manufacturing and discussions regarding emerging technologies; and to consider government measures with the potential of advancing United States technological innovation and exploiting innovations of foreign origin. Potential Challenges

Among the early challenges the CTO may face are defining and communicating the roles of the position; identifying and recruiting talent, from both inside and outside of government; and negotiating domains of responsibilities, formal and informal, within the White House and with executive branch agencies that have overlapping missions. CTO Structure and Activities in the Obama Administration

There is no official position description for the CTO, nor has President Obama sought legislation to create a statutory foundation for the CTO position. Accordingly, to date, the structure and official duties of the CTO remain largely undefined. In a December 2009 interview with a trade publication, Mr. Chopra described his role as CTO as an umbrella over his two-part service as assistant to the President and OSTP associate director for technology:
The Chief Technology Officer role has two components: the first is my service as Assistant to the President; the second is in my capacity as Associate Director for Technology in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Technology for government performance. The CTO would also conduct analysis and provide advice to the President and heads of federal departments and agencies with respect to major IT policies, plans, and programs of the federal government. What level of funding should be authorized and/or appropriated for the CTO?
In November 2007, Senator Barack Obama announced his intention, if elected President, to appoint a federal chief technology officer (CTO). He also identified several specific areas of responsibility of the CTO including transparency of government operations, computer and network security (sometimes referred to as cybersecurity), identification and adoption of best technologies and practices by federal agencies, and interoperability of emergency communications technologies for first responders.
On April 18, 2009, President Obama appointed Virginia Secretary of Technology Aneesh P. Chopra to serve in the newly created position of federal chief technology officer. In announcing the appointment, the President indicated that Mr. Chopra would undertake roles beyond what might be considered traditional CTO responsibilities. As the President described them, these roles include promoting technological innovation to help the United States create jobs, reduce health care costs, protect the homeland, and address other national goals. Mr. Chopra serves as assistant to the President and chief technology officer, as well as associate director for technology in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Under a provision of Executive Order 13500, issued on February 5, 2009, he also serves as a member of the White House Domestic Policy Council in his capacity as assistant to the President and CTO.
The CTO may face a variety of challenges in executing the mission envisioned by the President. Among the early challenges will be negotiating domains of responsibilities within the White House and with executive branch agencies that have overlapping missions. Some commentators have expressed concerns about the impact the creation of a CTO might have on existing offices and agencies with respect to the allocation and coordination of authorities and responsibilities. Other commentators have asserted that a high-level CTO could serve as an advocate for technological innovation and foster increased knowledge sharing among federal agencies to more effectively implement information technology solutions to meet disparate mission requirements. Mr. Chopra's appointment as both CTO and associate director for technology at OSTP may address, in part, questions related to mission alignment, coordination, and integration. Since assuming his dual roles, Mr. Chopra has publicly engaged in discussions covering a wide range of technology policy-related areas, including research and development, innovation, open government, government performance, education, science and engineering workforce, health care information technology, broadband, patent reform, and net neutrality.
Congress faces President Obama's appointment of Mr. Chopra and the President's stated plans for the federal CTO. There is currently no formal position description for the CTO. Accordingly, the official duties of the CTO remain largely undefined. Congress may elect to provide a statutory foundation for the CTO, define the roles and authorities of the CTO, authorize and appropriate funds, provide for oversight, and address other aspects of the position.