Trump Names Jay Clayton To Lead Super Intelligence Force
The new federal task force will coordinate AI policy work and is expected to produce a report on risks and opportunities within 120 days.
President Donald Trump has announced a federal task force called the Super Intelligence Force and named Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead it. Trump said the group will coordinate government efforts to keep the United States at the forefront of what his administration calls “super intelligence.” According to Engadget and TechCrunch, its first assignment is a report on AI’s risks and opportunities, due within 120 days.
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Who is on the task force
Trump announced the group in a post on Truth Social. Alongside Clayton, he named Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson, Emil Michael, the Department of Defense official responsible for research and engineering, and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. TechCrunch, citing The Wall Street Journal, reported that Clayton will chair the force and the other three officials will serve as vice chairs.
Engadget reported that the group will report to Trump and his chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Trump also said it would work with consumers, public interest groups, religious organizations, critical infrastructure providers and companies developing super intelligence.
A report on risks, opportunities and regulation
The planned report will examine both the potential benefits and the risks of AI, according to the two outlets. TechCrunch, citing the task force’s reported charter, said the group is also expected to develop plans for addressing threats enabled by super intelligence while avoiding rules or regulatory capture that could hamper innovation and competition.
Clayton has argued that the United States should not retreat from AI development as countries including China move forward, TechCrunch reported. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, he identified the risk of failing to lead as a major concern. Engadget reported that the task force is expected to make recommendations about the federal government’s responsibilities related to AI.
Why the name matters
The announcement follows Trump’s earlier promise to create an “AI Force” and appoint an AI czar. Engadget reported that he also asked his Truth Social followers about changing the term “artificial intelligence.” TechCrunch said Trump subsequently signed an executive order seeking to replace that label with “super intelligence.”
The new name arrives amid a wider debate over AI safety and the pace of development. TechCrunch reported that technology executives visited the White House this week to sign a non-binding safety pledge. Engadget noted that some company CEOs have called for development to slow down. The task force’s report will be an early indication of how the administration intends to balance those concerns against its stated goal of maintaining US leadership.
Sources
This story was compiled by AI from the reports below. Read the originals for the full details.