U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has appointed Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, as the government’s artificial intelligence czar. Clayton’s new role will involve coordinating efforts to ensure U.S. dominance in the field of technology.
Trump, who advocates for rebranding AI as “super intelligence,” revealed that Clayton will lead the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF). This force will supervise the government’s interactions with consumers, religious organizations, AI companies, and other relevant parties.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump outlined the SIF’s objectives, emphasizing the goal of maintaining America’s leadership in Super Intelligence and safeguarding the interests and well-being of all Americans.
The announcement confirms earlier reports from The Wall Street Journal, where Clayton, who assumed the position of national intelligence chief in August, disclosed that he had been selected by Trump to spearhead efforts to keep the U.S. at the forefront of AI development.
Clayton stressed the importance of being a frontrunner in AI, highlighting the potential risks and opportunities associated with the technology. He mentioned that the task force, which he will lead, has a 120-day timeline to assess these aspects and propose the government’s role in the AI landscape.
Regarding AI safety concerns, recent weeks have seen a surge in discussions about the risks posed by AI, with some experts warning about potential dangers to humanity. Lawmakers from both Democratic and Republican parties have expressed concerns and called for proactive measures.
Trump’s approach to regulating AI has been characterized by a more relaxed stance, arguing that stringent oversight could hamper competitiveness, particularly against China. He made it clear that he is not inclined to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on regulating AI technologies.
Clayton’s panel is tasked with evaluating AI-related risks, existing government mechanisms for handling breaches and cyber incidents, and suggesting ways to enhance federal response capabilities within current regulatory frameworks.
This marks the second time Trump has appointed an advisor to oversee AI-related decisions at a government level. Venture capitalist David Sacks previously held the AI czar role early in Trump’s second term. The task force will also include leaders such as 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.