U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has appointed Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, to lead the government’s efforts in maintaining U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence (AI). Trump, advocating for AI to be termed “super intelligence,” revealed that Clayton will head the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF), overseeing interactions with consumers, religious organizations, AI firms, and other stakeholders.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump outlined that the SIF’s mission is to ensure America’s continued leadership in Super Intelligence and enhance the well-being of all Americans. The move confirms a Wall Street Journal report disclosing Clayton’s selection as the spearhead for the administration’s drive to keep the U.S. at the forefront of AI technologies.
Clayton emphasized the significance of being at the forefront of AI advancements, stating that the risk of falling behind is substantial. The newly formed task force, under Clayton’s leadership, has been given 120 days to deliver a comprehensive report evaluating the risks and opportunities associated with AI and proposing the federal government’s role in the sector.
Addressing AI safety concerns, recent weeks have seen a growing focus on the potential dangers of AI technology, with some experts warning of the potential for harm to humanity within the next decade. In response, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns and called for more decisive action.
Trump’s approach to AI regulation has been characterized as cautious, with a reluctance to impose excessive oversight for fear of weakening competitiveness against China. He has explicitly stated his unwillingness to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the governance of AI technology. Clayton’s panel is set to analyze AI-related risks, evaluate existing government protocols for breaches and cyber incidents, and propose strategies to fortify federal response mechanisms within current legal frameworks.
This marks Trump’s second appointment of an advisor to oversee AI-related decision-making within the administration, following venture capitalist David Sacks in the same role earlier in the term. Alongside Clayton, the leadership of the task force will include prominent figures such as Andrew Ferguson, Chair of the Federal Trade Commission; Emil Michael, Chief Technology Officer at the Pentagon; and Scott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management. The panel will directly report to President Trump and Susie Wiles, the White House Chief of Staff.