U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has appointed Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, as the head of the government’s efforts to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). Trump has proposed renaming AI as “super intelligence” and designated Clayton to lead the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF), which will oversee engagement with various stakeholders including consumers, religious groups, and AI companies.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that the SIF’s goal is to uphold America’s position as a global leader in super intelligence while safeguarding the interests and enhancing the lives of all Americans. This announcement aligns with a previous report from the Wall Street Journal where Clayton, who assumed the role of national intelligence chief in August, was selected by Trump to spearhead efforts in keeping the U.S. at the forefront of AI technology.
Clayton highlighted the importance of being a frontrunner in AI, stating that the risks of falling behind are substantial. The task force led by Clayton has been given a 120-day timeline to assess the risks and opportunities associated with AI and to propose the federal government’s role in this realm.
Addressing concerns about AI safety, there has been growing apprehension among researchers regarding the potential dangers posed by AI technology, with some warning of its potential to harm humans in the near future. Despite calls for stricter regulation, Trump has taken a more relaxed stance on AI oversight, expressing concerns that excessive regulations could hinder competitiveness against China. He has also indicated a reluctance to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on governing AI technology.
Clayton’s panel will focus on evaluating AI-related risks, current government reporting mechanisms for incidents like breaches and hacks, and recommending ways to enhance federal response capabilities within existing frameworks. This marks the second instance where Trump has appointed an adviser to oversee AI-related decisions across his administration. Alongside Clayton, the task force will include leaders such as Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission chair; Emil Michael, Pentagon chief technology officer; and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management, under the supervision of the president and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.