President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has appointed Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, to lead the administration’s efforts in maintaining U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence (AI). Trump is advocating for AI to be referred to as “super intelligence” and has tasked Clayton with overseeing the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF). The SIF will be responsible for engaging with various stakeholders such as consumers, religious groups, and AI companies to ensure that the United States remains a global leader in super intelligence.
In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that the SIF’s primary goal is to uphold America’s leadership in super intelligence and safeguard the interests and well-being of all Americans. Clayton, who assumed the role of national intelligence chief in August, highlighted the importance of the United States maintaining its position as a frontrunner in AI, emphasizing the potential risks of falling behind in this rapidly evolving field.
The newly formed task force, led by Clayton, has been given a 120-day deadline to assess the opportunities and risks associated with AI. Their report will also recommend the federal government’s role in this technology landscape. Concerns about AI safety have been mounting, with experts cautioning about the potential dangers posed by unregulated AI development. Trump has expressed reservations about stringent regulations, citing concerns about competitiveness with China and indicating a reluctance to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on AI governance.
Clayton’s panel will focus on reviewing existing government mechanisms for addressing AI-related risks and incidents, with the aim of enhancing federal response capabilities. This move marks the second time Trump has appointed an advisor to oversee AI-related decisions within his administration. Alongside Clayton, the task force will include leaders such as Andrew Ferguson, chair of the Federal Trade Commission; Emil Michael, Pentagon chief technology officer; and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management. The panel will report directly to President Trump and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.