President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, would be appointed as the head of the government’s efforts to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). Trump, who advocates for renaming AI as “super intelligence,” revealed that Clayton would lead the newly formed “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF) to oversee engagements with consumers, religious organizations, AI companies, and other stakeholders.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump outlined that the SIF’s objective is to ensure America’s continued leadership in super intelligence and to safeguard the interests and enhance the lives of all Americans. This announcement confirms a Wall Street Journal report where Clayton, who assumed the role of national intelligence chief in August, was chosen by Trump to spearhead the administration’s efforts to keep the U.S. at the forefront of AI development.
Clayton emphasized the urgency of maintaining a leading position in AI, stating that the risks of falling behind are substantial. The newly formed task force, under Clayton’s leadership, has been given 120 days to produce a comprehensive report evaluating the risks and opportunities associated with AI and outlining the federal government’s recommended role in this domain.
Concerns regarding AI safety have gained significant attention recently, with researchers warning about the potential risks posed by the technology. Trump’s approach to AI regulation has been characterized as cautious, with an emphasis on avoiding excessive oversight that could compromise competitiveness against China. He expressed reluctance to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on governing AI technology.
The task force led by Clayton will assess AI-related risks, evaluate existing government mechanisms for addressing breaches and incidents, and propose strategies to bolster federal response capabilities within the current regulatory framework. This marks the second time Trump has appointed an adviser to oversee AI-related decisions across various government sectors. The task force will include prominent figures such as Andrew Ferguson, Emil Michael, and Scott Kupor, reporting directly to the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.