What’s in a name? Why Trump wants to rebrand AI as ‘super intelligence’
US President Donald Trump wants to retire one of the technology sector’s most recognisable acronyms, arguing that the term “artificial intelligence”, or AI, is no longer fit for purpose. On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order directing US federal agencies to replace “artificial intelligence” and “AI” with “super intelligence” and “SI” in official communications and non-statutory documents.…
U.S. President Donald Trump has taken steps to rebrand artificial intelligence (AI) as "super intelligence" (SI) in official communications, arguing that the current acronym no longer accurately represents the technology's capabilities. This move, announced in an executive order, directs federal agencies to replace "AI" with "SI" and instructs the White House science adviser to draft a new federal definition.
The rebranding comes after a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, where Trump claimed that calling AI "artificial" made it sound "fake." The decision has sparked debate within the tech industry, with some leaders like Elon Musk and others pushing back on the change. Critics argue that the move could create confusion and potentially heighten public fear, while others believe it could signal a shift in how Washington views the technology and its role in the US-China rivalry.
China's response to the rebranding has been cautious, with Beijing respecting the decision but continuing to use the term "artificial intelligence." The move has been viewed by some analysts as an attempt by Trump to control the narrative and project American dominance in the global race for technological leadership.
Written by urgent.news from SCMP Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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