US President Donald Trump has established the 'Super Intelligence Force,' a taskforce led by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, to oversee AI policy and rebrand the technology as 'Super Intelligence' (SI). The initiative, announced via social media on Sunday, aims to ensure U.S. leadership in AI development while coordinating government engagement with stakeholders such as consumers, public interest groups, and tech companies. The taskforce, which reports directly to Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, includes Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. Trump’s executive order, signed on 29 September, also renamed AI to SI, citing concerns that 'artificial' sounded 'fake.'
The taskforce’s creation follows pressure from tech leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who argued in a 4 October interview that AI’s benefits justify accepting some risks. Altman emphasized public access to the technology, stating, 'The world should accept some bad things happening for the benefits of this technology and people having the agency.' Meanwhile, Trump has resisted calls for stricter oversight, allowing companies to self-regulate. The rebranding has drawn criticism from experts, who warn that 'super intelligence' could confuse the public, as the term typically refers to more advanced systems. Despite this, figures like Elon Musk have embraced the shift, announcing plans to rename SpaceX’s AI division to SpaceXSI, calling the company a 'super intelligence company.'
The taskforce’s leadership, Jay Clayton, took office in August after Trump’s initial nominee, Bill Pulte, faced legislative rejection. Clayton, a former U.S. attorney who prosecuted cases including former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s drug trafficking charges, has previously stated, 'When something’s both an opportunity and a threat, you better get your arms around it.' The executive order also mandates federal agencies to use SI in official correspondence, websites, and reports, effective immediately. This move aligns with a 29 September pact signed by executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX, and Google, which Trump described as a 'morally binding' agreement on AI safety. However, the rebranding has sparked debate over its practicality and potential to obscure regulatory clarity.
The establishment of the 'Super Intelligence Force' underscores Trump’s focus on positioning the U.S. as a global leader in AI while reshaping terminology to reflect his vision. Critics argue the rebranding risks muddying public understanding of AI’s current capabilities, while supporters view it as a strategic effort to emphasize the technology’s transformative potential. As the taskforce begins operations, its success will hinge on balancing innovation with accountability, particularly as tech firms and policymakers navigate the evolving landscape of AI governance.