Today in his Weekly Address, United States President Barack Obama announced that he has appointed current Virginia Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra to be the nation's first ever Chief Technology Officer. In this role, Chopra will "promote technological innovation to help achieve our most urgent priorities - from creating jobs and reducing health care costs to keeping our nation secure".
Chopra will work closely with recently named Federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra. According to a background document that was given to O'Reilly Media founder Tim O'Reilly, here's how that relationship will work:
"The responsibilities of the CIO are to use information technology to transform the ways in which the government does business. The CTO will develop national strategies for using advanced technologies to transform our economy and our society, such as fostering private sector innovation, reducing administrative costs and medical errors using health IT, and using technology to change the way teachers teach and students learn."
O'Reilly believes Chopra is a "rock star" and a good choice to fill this important position. He gives many reasons for this in his latest post on O'Reilly Radar. Be sure to also read posts from techPresident and The 463 blog for even more information about this historic appointment.
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