U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, would be leading the government’s efforts to maintain U.S. dominance in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Trump, who has advocated for rebranding AI as “super intelligence,” appointed Clayton to head the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF). This force will oversee interactions with consumers, religious organizations, AI companies, and other stakeholders.
Through a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that the SIF’s objective is to ensure America’s continued leadership in super intelligence and to safeguard the interests and well-being of all Americans. The move follows a report by The Wall Street Journal, which disclosed Clayton’s new role in spearheading the administration’s initiatives to keep the U.S. at the forefront of AI development.
Clayton expressed the importance of being a frontrunner in AI, stating that the risks of falling behind are substantial. The task force led by Clayton will have 120 days to compile a report evaluating the risks and opportunities associated with AI and suggesting the federal government’s involvement in this arena.
Amid growing concerns about AI safety, Trump has taken a more relaxed stance on AI regulation, emphasizing that excessive oversight could hinder competitiveness with China. Clayton’s panel will assess AI-related risks and current government mechanisms for addressing breaches and other incidents, and propose ways to enhance federal response capabilities under existing authorities.
This appointment marks the second time Trump has designated an adviser to oversee AI-related decisions across the government. 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 provide reports to the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.