Google's Schmidt not looking for a new job

So who will be America's Next CTO?

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Government, 10th November 2008 09:43 GMT

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Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, said he was not interested in becoming chief technology officer for the nation under President Barack Obama.

Obama gained decent support from Silicon Valley and intends to appoint a national CTO to improve the US government's use of technology. He also supports net neutrality, improvements to US patent laws, R&D and extend broadband access.

Schmidt publicly endorsed Obama and supports his plans for more investment in renewable energy but told the New York Times: "I am extremely happy serving the shareholders of Google as the C.E.O., so I have no interest in serving as a government employee."

Schmidt is also a member of Obama's economic transition board, alongside Warren Buffett, Anne Mulcahy of Xerox and others.

He told the paper Google was working to control expenses and had slowed down hiring following the economic crisis.

Even though Schmidt has publicy turned down the chance to be the US' techie in chief, there are plenty of other candidates according to the Silicon Valley rumour mill, with the likes of Bill Joy, Lawrence Lessig, Vint Cerf, Siegfried and Roy or even Dick Cheney.

Informal Register polling on this issue has of course already revealed the readers' favourite - step forward Mr Ted Dziuba. ®

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