Donald Trump entrusts a new mission to Jay Clayton. Already director of American national intelligence, he becomes the new AI “tsar” of the White House and will head a Super Intelligence Force responsible for coordinating federal policy. In particular, Clayton will have 120 days to present a report on the risks, opportunities and the role of government in the face of artificial intelligence.
In brief
- Jay Clayton becomes Donald Trump’s new head of AI.
- At the same time, he retains his position as director of national intelligence.
- The Super Intelligence Force must submit its findings within 120 days.
AI comes under the supervision of Jay Clayton
The nomination had been expected for several days. Donald Trump announced in September his intention to create a new force dedicated to artificial intelligence and to choose a manager to lead it. Tremplin.io then detailed the creation of this national force dedicated to AI.
The name is now known. Jay Clayton becomes second AI “czar” of Trump’s second term. He succeeds David Sacks in this role, who nevertheless continues to advise the president from outside the administration.
Clayton is not leaving intelligence, however. Former president of the SEC and then federal prosecutor in Manhattan, he took over as director of national intelligence on August 3. In this position, he oversees 18 U.S. agencies and directly advises the president on intelligence matters.
His new role therefore brings AI and national security even closer together. The Super Intelligence Force will bring together several senior federal officials. Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the FTC, Emil Michael, Chief Technology Officer of the Pentagon, and Scott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, are among the officials announced.
Trump now wants to talk about “super intelligence”
Change is not just about people. On September 29, Trump signed an executive order directing the federal executive branch to use the term “Super Intelligence” in place of “Artificial Intelligence” in its communications and non-legislative documents.
The White House considers that the term AI no longer sufficiently reflects the capabilities of the most advanced systems. The decree does not, however, create a completely different new technological category. For the moment, it uses the existing legal definition of artificial intelligence. The administration is expected to work on a possible new federal definition in the coming months.
This decision comes as Washington has been seeking for several months to define its line in the face of the acceleration of AI. In May, Trump rejected an executive order on artificial intelligence after believing that certain provisions risked reducing the American technological advantage.
Competition with China remains very present. Washington wants to maintain its lead in advanced models, chips and infrastructure while responding to growing security concerns. The line adopted so far mainly favors voluntary commitments from companies rather than very restrictive federal regulations.
120 days to set American priorities
The Super Intelligence Force will now need to transform this guidance into more specific proposals. Jay Clayton and his team have 120 days to prepare a report that must identify AI-related opportunities, its main risks and areas where the federal government should intervene.
The force must also meet several categories of actors: businesses, consumers, religious organizations, researchers and other representatives of civil society.
Security will be difficult to avoid. American researchers and political leaders regularly warn of the risks linked to autonomous models, cybersecurity and even the military use of AI. Two US senators had already proposed this year to strengthen protection for sensitive AI technologies. Trump, however, takes a different approach from those calling for a slowdown in development. His administration believes that too much regulation could favor China and slow down American businesses.
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