Obama names first US technology chief

Obama wants to use the web to make Washington more accountable

President Barack Obama has formally announced who will serve as the first chief technology officer of the United States.

During his weekly Saturday radio address, the president said that Virginia technology secretary Aneesh Chopra would be selected for the new CTO job.

The appointment of a national CTO had been promised by Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign. The creation of the position is part of a larger effort by Obama to better connect the presidency and federal government as a whole to the online world.

In addition to his efforts to make his own administration better connected to the web, Obama is also looking to boost internet availability for the nation as a whole with an ambitious broadband expansion plan.

According to the administration, Chopra's job will be to "promote technological innovation to help the country meet its goals from job creation, to reducing health care costs, to protecting the homeland".

Chopra will also be collaborating on projects with White House CIO Vivek Kundra and Jeffery Zients, the nominee for deputy director for management of the Office of Management and Budget.

"The goal is to give all Americans a voice in their government and ensure that they know exactly how we’re spending their money, and can hold us accountable for the results," Obama said.