U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday the appointment of Jay Clayton, currently serving as the director of national intelligence, as the head of the government’s efforts in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Trump, who advocates for renaming AI as “super intelligence,” designated Clayton to lead the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF). This force will oversee interactions with various stakeholders, including consumers, religious groups, and AI companies.
Trump shared on his Truth Social platform that the SIF’s primary goal is to maintain America’s global leadership in super intelligence and safeguard the interests and well-being of all Americans. The decision aligns with a recent report from the Wall Street Journal, where Clayton, who assumed the national intelligence chief role in August, emphasized the importance of the U.S. retaining a leading position in AI technology.
Clayton expressed the urgency of being at the forefront of AI, highlighting the critical nature of staying ahead in this technological field. The newly formed task force, under Clayton’s leadership, will have 120 days to assess the risks and opportunities related to AI and propose the federal government’s role in this domain.
Amid rising concerns about AI safety, there have been calls for increased oversight and regulation. However, Trump has taken a more lenient stance on AI regulation, citing concerns about maintaining competitiveness against China. The appointed panel, led by Clayton, will evaluate AI-related risks, review government mechanisms for handling incidents, and suggest ways to enhance federal response capabilities within existing frameworks.
This marks the second time during Trump’s tenure that an adviser has been appointed to oversee AI-related decisions across the government. In addition to Clayton, the task force will include prominent figures such as Andrew Ferguson, Emil Michael, and Scott Kupor, who will report to the president and the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles.