U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, has been appointed as the government’s point person for artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure U.S. leadership in this technology sector. Trump has advocated for rebranding AI as “super intelligence” and designated Clayton to lead the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF) to oversee interactions with consumers, religious organizations, AI firms, and other relevant parties.
Through a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that the SIF’s primary objective is to uphold America’s leading position in Super Intelligence and safeguard the interests and well-being of all Americans. This move aligns with a recent report in The Wall Street Journal, where Clayton, who assumed the role of national intelligence chief in August, was identified as Trump’s choice to spearhead efforts in maintaining the U.S.’s AI dominance.
Clayton emphasized the urgency of staying ahead in the AI race, stating that the risk of falling behind is substantial. As part of his responsibilities, Clayton’s team has been given a 120-day timeline to evaluate the risks and opportunities associated with AI, and to propose the federal government’s role in this realm.
The safety implications of AI have gained significant attention recently, with concerns raised about the potential risks posed by this technology. Trump’s approach to AI regulation has been described as cautious, with a focus on avoiding excessive oversight that could impact competitiveness with China. Clayton’s panel will scrutinize AI-related risks, review existing government protocols for handling breaches and cyber incidents, and suggest enhancements to strengthen federal response capabilities under current mandates.
This marks the second instance where Trump has appointed an adviser to oversee AI-related decisions across the government. Alongside Clayton, key figures on the task force include Andrew Ferguson, chair of the Federal Trade Commission; Emil Michael, Pentagon’s chief technology officer; and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management. The panel is expected to provide regular updates to the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.
