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 to oversee efforts in maintaining U.S. leadership in technology.
Trump, who advocates for renaming AI as “super intelligence,” revealed that Clayton will lead the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF) to manage interactions with consumers, religious organizations, AI firms, and other stakeholders.
Via his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that SIF’s goal is to ensure America remains at the forefront of Super Intelligence and to safeguard the interests and enhance the well-being of all Americans.
This news confirms a report by The Wall Street Journal, where Clayton, who assumed the role of national intelligence chief in August, acknowledged being chosen by Trump to spearhead the administration’s initiatives in keeping the U.S. ahead in AI development.
Clayton highlighted the urgency of being a frontrunner in this field, stating, “The risk of not being first is high.”
The task force led by Clayton has a mandate of 120 days to produce a comprehensive report evaluating the risks and benefits associated with AI and recommending the federal government’s role in this domain.
Amid rising concerns about AI safety, various researchers warn of potential dangers, with some suggesting that AI could pose risks to human existence within the next decade. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed apprehension and called for increased action.
Trump’s approach to AI regulation has been characterized as cautious, with him arguing against excessive oversight that could weaken competitiveness vis-à-vis China. He recently stated his reluctance to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on governing AI technology.
Clayton’s panel will assess AI-related risks, government reporting mechanisms for breaches, hacks, and other incidents, and propose ways to bolster federal response capabilities within current legal frameworks, as per the task force’s charter.
This marks the second time Trump has appointed an adviser to oversee AI-related decisions across the administration. Previously, venture capitalist David Sacks served as the AI czar at the start of Trump’s second term.
Apart from Clayton, the task force’s leadership will comprise 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, as indicated by Trump.
The panel will provide reports to the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.