President Trump announced Sunday that Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton will take on a second title, artificial intelligence czar, while keeping his current post running the nation's intelligence community.
The move is the latest step in Washington's effort to organize a government-wide approach to artificial intelligence, an area where the administration has said it wants to maintain an edge as AI systems become more capable and more central to the economy and national security. Over the past few years, the federal government has created a series of AI-focused offices and advisory roles, reflecting both the pace of private-sector AI development, led by companies racing to build ever larger and more capable models, and growing attention in Congress to how the technology should be regulated, secured, and adopted across federal agencies.
Trump said Clayton will lead a newly formed Super Intelligence Force, with the stated goal of ensuring, in Trump's words, that America continues to lead the world in super intelligence, a term increasingly used in the industry to describe AI systems that could eventually exceed human capability across most tasks. The administration has not yet detailed the new force's budget, staffing, or specific mandate, including how it will relate to existing bodies working on AI policy and procurement.
Pairing the AI czar role with the director of national intelligence position signals that the administration sees artificial intelligence and intelligence-gathering as closely linked, a pairing that is likely to draw attention from lawmakers who oversee both technology policy and intelligence oversight. It also continues a pattern, seen across recent administrations of both parties, of concentrating emerging technology oversight in the hands of officials who already hold significant national security responsibilities.
Further details on the Super Intelligence Force's structure and funding, and how it will coordinate with existing federal AI offices.
Does Clayton give up his intelligence role?
No, he is expected to hold the AI czar title in addition to his current role as Director of National Intelligence.
What is the Super Intelligence Force?
It is a newly announced body intended to help keep the United States at the forefront of advanced artificial intelligence development, though its structure has not yet been detailed.