U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he appointed Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, to lead the government’s efforts in maintaining American supremacy in artificial intelligence. Trump, who advocates for rebranding AI as “super intelligence,” disclosed that Clayton would oversee the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF), responsible for engaging with consumers, religious organizations, AI companies, and other stakeholders.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that SIF’s primary goal is to ensure the United States remains a global leader in Super Intelligence and safeguards the interests and well-being of all Americans. This declaration aligns with a Wall Street Journal report confirming Clayton’s role following his appointment as national intelligence chief in August.
Clayton expressed the urgency of staying ahead in AI advancements, stating that being the first is crucial. He outlined that the task force led by him would deliver a comprehensive report within 120 days, evaluating the risks and opportunities associated with AI and proposing the federal government’s role in this domain.
Addressing concerns about AI safety, Trump’s stance on regulation leans towards a lighter touch, arguing that excessive oversight could compromise competitiveness against China. Clayton’s panel is set to review AI-related risks, assess existing government reporting mechanisms for breaches and hacks, and recommend strategies to bolster federal response capabilities within current legal frameworks.
This marks the second time Trump has appointed an adviser to oversee AI-related decisions within his administration. Alongside Clayton, the task force will include Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission chair; Emil Michael, Pentagon chief technology officer; and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management. The panel will directly report to the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.