President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Jay Clayton, the current Director of National Intelligence, has been selected to lead the White House’s newly established “Super Intelligence Force.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated the group would ensure the United States maintains its global dominance in super intelligence.
Clayton will oversee coordination between the federal government and a range of stakeholders, including consumers, public interest groups, religious organizations, critical infrastructure providers, and major AI companies. Trump explicitly noted his preference for the term “super intelligence” over “artificial intelligence” when describing the administration’s focus.
Before his confirmation earlier this year to lead national intelligence, Clayton served as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He has previously characterized super intelligence as a critical national security matter. During a CNBC interview last month, he opposed calls for a development pause, arguing that other nations continue to advance their AI capabilities regardless of American restrictions.
The White House announcement also identified other key members of the Super Intelligence Force: Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor, and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael.
This appointment follows recent meetings between Trump and tech executives. On Tuesday, the president stated that leaders from several AI firms signed a voluntary accord involving internal and external reviews of their work. Additionally, the White House launched a revitalized America.gov website this week, which utilizes artificial intelligence to source content from official government channels.
The creation of the new role comes amid ongoing debate regarding AI regulation. While Congress has not passed broad federal laws governing AI development or use, states like California have enacted measures requiring transparency when AI is utilized. The current regulatory landscape remains limited at the federal level.
Clayton’s appointment marks a shift in the administration’s AI leadership structure. In December 2024, President-elect Trump had designated Silicon Valley investor David Sacks as the AI and crypto czar. Sacks stepped down from that advisory role earlier this year to become co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
Clayton’s SEC background is interesting for regulating big tech, but will he have enough power against companies that move faster than policy?
Super Intelligence Force? Sounds like a sci-fi villain’s org. Hope they focus more on safety than just winning the AI race.