President Barack Obama appointed Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Microsoft's Chief Research and Strategy Officer Craig Mundie to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).
The group, announced Monday, is the president's scientific advisory body. Its 20 members include executives and academics with a range of business, health care and scientific
expertise.
Obama pledged to invigorate innovation by committing 3% of the U.S. gross domestic product to scientific research, development, and education. He made the promise during a speech to the
member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Mark Simon, VP industry relations at Didit, applauded the appointments, adding that Schmidt has become a proven thought leader to address challenges
in technology and provide solutions for managing information.
Google and Schmidt already have close ties with the Obama administration. He advised the campaign and is a member of the Transition
Economic Advisory Board. Earlier this year, Google product manager Katie Jacobs Stanton joined the Obama administration as "director of citizen participation."--Laurie Sullivan