President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, as the new head of the government’s efforts to uphold U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence (AI). Trump plans to rebrand AI as “super intelligence” and has tasked Clayton with leading the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF) to oversee interactions with various stakeholders, including consumers, AI companies, and religious groups.
Through a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that SIF’s primary goal is to ensure America’s global leadership in super intelligence while safeguarding the interests and well-being of all Americans. This move aligns with a recent report in the Wall Street Journal where Clayton, who assumed the role of national intelligence chief in August, highlighted the imperative of positioning the United States at the forefront of AI advancements.
Clayton emphasized the urgency of being proactive in AI development, citing the risks associated with falling behind. He revealed that the task force, led by him, has a 120-day timeframe to evaluate the potential risks and benefits of AI and recommend the federal government’s role in this evolving landscape.
Amid rising concerns about AI safety, Trump has taken a cautious stance on regulation, expressing concerns that stringent oversight could hinder competitiveness with China. Clayton’s panel will focus on assessing AI-related risks, enhancing government response mechanisms for security breaches, and strengthening federal capabilities within existing regulatory frameworks.
Notably, this marks the second occasion where Trump has appointed an advisor to oversee AI-related decisions at the governmental level. Alongside Clayton, key figures in the task force include Andrew Ferguson, chair of the Federal Trade Commission; Emil Michael, the Pentagon’s chief technology officer; and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management. The panel is set to provide regular updates to the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.