President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, as the administration’s artificial intelligence czar to oversee efforts in maintaining U.S. leadership in technology. Trump, advocating for the rebranding of AI as “super intelligence,” disclosed that Clayton would lead the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF) to engage with consumers, religious organizations, AI companies, and other stakeholders. The President shared on his Truth Social platform that the SIF’s objective is to ensure America’s continued leadership in Super Intelligence and enhance the well-being of all Americans.
This confirmation follows a Wall Street Journal report where Clayton, who assumed the role of national intelligence chief in August, was selected by Trump to spearhead the government’s endeavors to uphold the United States’ AI prominence. Clayton emphasized the urgency of being at the forefront, stating that the consequences of falling behind are significant. The task force, led by Clayton, has been given 120 days to deliver a comprehensive report assessing the risks and opportunities associated with AI and proposing the federal government’s role in this domain.
Concerns regarding AI safety have gained attention lately, with researchers cautioning about potential threats to human life posed by AI technology. Despite some lawmakers expressing apprehension and calls for stricter measures, Trump has taken a more relaxed stance on AI regulation, citing concerns about competitiveness with China. Clayton’s panel will evaluate AI-related risks, current government protocols for incidents like breaches and hacks, and suggest strategies to bolster federal response capabilities using existing authorities.
Notably, this marks the second instance where Trump has appointed an advisor to oversee AI-related decisions across the government. Venture capitalist David Sacks previously held the AI czar position during the early stages of Trump’s second term. 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. The panel will report directly to the President and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.
