U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he had appointed Jay Clayton, the national intelligence director, as the head of the administration’s artificial intelligence efforts to maintain U.S. leadership in the technology. Trump, pushing for the renaming of AI as “super intelligence,” designated Clayton to lead the newly formed “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF). This force will oversee the government’s interactions with consumers, religious groups, AI companies, and other stakeholders.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump outlined that the SIF’s objective is to ensure America’s continued leadership in Super Intelligence and to safeguard the interests and enhance the lives of all Americans. The announcement confirmed a Wall Street Journal report where Clayton, appointed in August as national intelligence chief, was selected by Trump to spearhead the administration’s efforts to position the United States at the forefront of AI.
Clayton emphasized the importance of being proactive, stating that the risk of not being the first in AI advancements is significant. He mentioned that the task force, led by him, has a 120-day deadline to produce a comprehensive report evaluating the risks and opportunities associated with AI and suggesting the federal government’s role.
The safety concerns surrounding AI have gained prominence recently, with some researchers warning about the potential risks of AI technology leading to human harm. Responding to these concerns, several lawmakers from both Democratic and Republican parties have called for increased action. Despite these concerns, Trump has advocated for a more relaxed approach to AI regulation, expressing concerns that stringent oversight could impact competitiveness against China. He also expressed his reluctance to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on governing AI technology.
Clayton’s panel will focus on reviewing AI-related risks, government reporting mechanisms for breaches and hacks, and recommending ways to enhance federal response capabilities within existing authorities. The panel, which includes Andrew Ferguson, Emil Michael, and Scott Kupor alongside Clayton, will report to the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff. This marks the second time Trump has appointed an adviser to oversee AI-related decisions across the administration, with David Sacks serving in this role during the beginning of Trump’s second term.