U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday the appointment of Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, as the government’s artificial intelligence coordinator. Trump has emphasized the importance of maintaining U.S. leadership in the technology field and has tasked Clayton with overseeing the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF). This force will manage interactions with various stakeholders, including consumers, religious groups, and AI companies.
Through a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump detailed the objective of SIF to uphold America’s position as a global leader in super intelligence and to safeguard the interests and well-being of all Americans. The move follows a report in The Wall Street Journal, where Clayton, who took on the role of national intelligence chief in August, expressed the urgency of keeping the United States at the forefront of AI development.
Clayton highlighted the potential risks of falling behind in AI advancements, stressing the need for the task force to assess both the threats and opportunities posed by AI within 120 days. The aim is to recommend the federal government’s role in this evolving landscape.
Concerns surrounding AI safety have gained traction recently, with researchers warning about potential risks to humanity within the next decade. While some lawmakers have called for increased action, Trump has advocated for a more lenient approach to AI regulation, citing concerns about maintaining competitiveness against China.
Clayton’s panel will focus on reviewing AI-related risks and enhancing government response capabilities to breaches and incidents. The task force’s charter outlines plans to strengthen existing federal response mechanisms under current authorities.
This appointment marks Trump’s second selection of an advisor to oversee AI-related decisions within the administration. The task force, led by Clayton, will also include prominent figures such as Andrew Ferguson, Emil Michael, and Scott Kupor. The panel will report directly to the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.