In fulfillment of a prior campaign pledge, President Donald Trump has officially launched the Super Intelligence Force, a new federal initiative designed to coordinate national efforts in artificial intelligence. The body will operate under the direction of National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton, alongside several key administration officials.
Trump outlined the mission of the force in a Sunday post on his social media platform, Truth Social. He stated that the group is charged with ensuring the United States maintains its global leadership in “Super Intelligence,” a term he argues represents a technological leap surpassing both the Industrial Revolution and the advent of the internet. According to the president, the initiative aims to safeguard American interests and enhance the quality of life for citizens.
The announcement follows a series of moves by the Trump administration regarding AI policy. Last September, amidst a debate over AI safety that the president characterized as a political fabrication, he vowed to create an AI task force and appoint a dedicated czar, specifying that only individuals with high IQs need apply. Subsequently, Trump signed an executive order rebranding artificial intelligence as “super intelligence,” a terminology shift that was adopted, albeit with some awkwardness, by tech executives who gathered at the White House to sign a non-binding safety commitment.
According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Clayton will serve as the chair of the Super Intelligence Force, effectively positioning him as the nation’s AI and super intelligence czar. He will be supported by Vice Chairs Andrew Ferguson, chair of the Federal Trade Commission; Emil Michael, Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering; and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management.
The newly formed task force has been given a 120-day deadline to produce a comprehensive report detailing the risks and opportunities associated with super intelligence. Clayton has previously emphasized the strategic necessity of the United States remaining at the forefront of AI development, warning against retreating from the technology while nations such as China continue to advance. Speaking to the WSJ, he identified the primary danger as the possibility of the US failing to be the first to master the technology.
The charter for the task force indicates that its mandate includes developing strategies to counter threats enabled by super intelligence, while simultaneously working to prevent overregulation and regulatory capture that could hinder innovation and market competition.
I just want to know: does this new force actually fund research, or is it just another committee with a fancy name and a 120-day deadline?
Wait, is the head of the FTC also the vice chair? Seems like a lot of regulatory oversight concentrated in one person. Bold move.
Rebranding AI as ‘super intelligence’ feels like marketing spin. We still need concrete safety regulations, not just competition rhetoric.