Donald Trump says Jay Clayton will lead AI 'super intelligence' task force

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Jay Clayton, Director of National Intelligence, will lead the newly established "Super Intelligence Force" to steer AI policy in the United States. The idea of an AI chief and steering committee was first proposed by Trump in September, as concerns about safety, oversight, and the technology's potential to revolutionize society continued.

Clayton, who took office as the ninth Director of National Intelligence in August, is responsible for integrating intelligence activities across the intelligence community and overseeing the National Intelligence Program. Prior to his current role, he served as chairman of the Security Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020.

The "Super Intelligence Force" aims to coordinate federal efforts to maintain America's leadership in AI, a technology that some consider to be more significant than the Industrial Revolution and the internet. Trump emphasized the force's role in protecting American interests and improving the lives of all Americans. Speculation over the force's leadership has been ongoing, with AI being a growing focus of the White House in recent months due to the technology's rapid development and investment boom.

The Trump administration views AI as crucial for US economic dominance in the coming decades and has sought to position its development as a race against China. However, the sector has faced increasing scrutiny due to concerns over AI models going rogue, compromising websites and digital assets, potential disruptions to the labor market, and environmental impacts associated with data center construction.

While polls show some unease about AI, its use continues to be widespread among consumers. Trump has dismissed concerns about AI as a "hoax" and suggested that the industry could self-regulate.