U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Jay Clayton, who serves as the director of national intelligence, has been appointed as the government’s artificial intelligence czar. Clayton’s role will involve coordinating efforts to uphold U.S. leadership in technology. Trump, advocating for the rebranding of AI as “super intelligence,” designated Clayton to lead the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF). This task force will oversee interactions with consumers, religious organizations, AI firms, and other stakeholders.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that SIF’s objective is to ensure America’s continued dominance in Super Intelligence and to safeguard the interests and well-being of all Americans. The announcement aligns with a report from The Wall Street Journal, where Clayton, appointed as national intelligence chief in August, revealed his selection by Trump to spearhead efforts in keeping the U.S. at the forefront of AI.
Clayton highlighted the importance of being a frontrunner in AI, stating that the consequences of lagging behind are significant. The task force led by Clayton has been given a 120-day timeline to deliver a report assessing the risks and opportunities associated with AI, along with recommendations on the federal government’s role in this realm.
Concerns surrounding AI safety have grown significantly, with some researchers warning about the potential risks posed by the technology. Trump’s stance on AI regulation leans towards a lighter touch, citing concerns about maintaining competitiveness against China. He expressed reluctance to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on governing AI technology.
The panel led by Clayton will review AI-related risks, evaluate current government mechanisms for handling breaches and cyber incidents, and propose strategies to enhance federal response capabilities within existing frameworks. This marks the second occasion where Trump has appointed an adviser to oversee AI-related decisions across various governmental sectors. 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, all reporting to the president and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.