U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, has been 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 will lead the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF), responsible for coordinating with various stakeholders such as consumers, religious organizations, and AI companies.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that the primary goal of SIF is to ensure that America remains at the forefront of Super Intelligence, safeguarding the interests and enhancing the lives of all Americans. This appointment aligns with a previous report by The Wall Street Journal, where Clayton, who assumed the role of national intelligence chief in August, was identified as the key figure chosen by Trump to drive the nation’s AI advancement.
Clayton highlighted the urgency of maintaining a leading position in AI, stating that the consequences of falling behind are significant. The task force led by Clayton is tasked with delivering a comprehensive report within 120 days, assessing the risks and opportunities associated with AI and outlining the federal government’s role in this domain.
Concerns surrounding AI safety have garnered increased attention recently, with some researchers warning about potential hazards, including the risk of AI posing threats to human life in the near future. Despite these concerns, Trump has taken a cautious stance on regulating AI, expressing concerns about excessive oversight impacting competitiveness, particularly in comparison to China.
Clayton’s panel is set to evaluate AI-related risks, government mechanisms for handling breaches, and recommend strategies to enhance federal response capabilities within existing frameworks. This marks the second instance where Trump has designated an advisor to oversee AI-related decisions, with previous appointee David Sacks serving in this capacity at the start of Trump’s second term.
In addition to 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 the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.