President Trump announced on Sunday that he has appointed Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, to lead the government’s efforts in maintaining U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence. Clayton will oversee the newly established “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF) to engage with various stakeholders, including consumers, AI firms, and religious groups.
The creation of SIF, as stated by Trump on his Truth Social platform, aims to ensure America’s leadership in the realm of super intelligence and to safeguard the interests and well-being of all Americans. This move follows a report by the Wall Street Journal, confirming Clayton’s role in spearheading the U.S. government’s initiatives to stay ahead in AI technology.
Clayton emphasized the importance of being proactive in AI advancements, stating that the consequences of falling behind are significant. He outlined SIF’s task of assessing the risks and benefits associated with AI within a 120-day timeframe and proposing the federal government’s role in this domain.
Amid growing concerns over AI safety, with warnings of potential harm and calls for regulatory action, Trump has taken a cautious stance on AI regulation. He has expressed reluctance to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on AI governance, citing concerns about maintaining competitiveness against China.
Clayton’s panel will evaluate AI-related risks, review existing government protocols for handling breaches and incidents, and suggest measures to enhance federal response capabilities under current mandates. The task force will be led by a team comprising Andrew Ferguson, Emil Michael, and Scott Kupor, reporting directly to the president and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.