President Trump announced on Sunday that Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, has been appointed as the head of the government’s efforts to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. Trump also revealed the establishment of the “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF) under Clayton’s leadership, which will oversee engagement with various stakeholders, including consumers, religious groups, and AI companies.
Through a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that the SIF’s objective is to ensure America’s ongoing leadership in super intelligence and to safeguard the interests and well-being of all Americans. This move follows a report from the Wall Street Journal confirming Clayton’s role in leading the government’s drive to keep the U.S. at the forefront of AI technology.
Clayton highlighted the urgency of staying ahead in the AI race, stating that being second is a significant risk. The newly formed task force, led by Clayton, has been given a 120-day timeframe to assess the risks and opportunities posed by AI and recommend the federal government’s role in this landscape.
Amid rising concerns about AI safety, both within the research community and among lawmakers, Trump has taken a cautious approach to regulation, citing concerns about maintaining competitiveness against China. The task force led by Clayton will focus on reviewing AI-related risks, government reporting mechanisms for breaches, and enhancing federal response capabilities.
This marks the second time Trump has appointed an advisor to oversee AI-related decisions within his administration, with David Sacks previously serving in this capacity. The task force will also include key figures like Andrew Ferguson, Emil Michael, and Scott Kupor, reporting directly to the president and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.