Symbolic imageTrump names intelligence chief Clayton to lead new AI coordination force
President Trump on Sunday named Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to head a new "Super Intelligence Force" for federal AI policy. FTC chair Andrew Ferguson is among its other leaders.
Trump announced the Super Intelligence Force (SIF) on Truth Social. He said it will coordinate the federal government's engagement with consumers, public interest groups, religious organizations, critical infrastructure providers and super intelligence companies. Besides Clayton and Ferguson, he named Emil Michael, the Pentagon's research and engineering chief, and Scott Kupor, head of the Office of Personnel Management. TASS, citing the Wall Street Journal, reports the body must deliver a report on AI risks and opportunities within four months. At his confirmation hearing, Clayton called AI a "gamechanger" and also "a threat".
Safety debate
The launch follows warnings from tech industry figures and reports of AI software carrying out hacking attacks on its own. Trump rejects slowing development, argues the US leads China, and has called fears about AI "a hoax", saying the industry can "self police". On Tuesday he and six executives signed an AI accord promising internal and external monitors.
Reactions
Senator Mark Warner, vice-chair of the Senate intelligence committee, cautiously welcomed the pick but said the administration has resisted meaningful safeguards. Elon Musk wrote that "SI" is "better" than AI and renamed SpaceX's AI unit SpaceXSI.