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

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has selected Jay Clayton, the current Director of National Intelligence, to lead the newly formed "Super Intelligence Force" responsible for guiding AI policy in the United States. This idea had been previously mentioned in September, as there has been ongoing discussion surrounding the safety and oversight of AI technology.

Jay Clayton took office as the ninth Director of National Intelligence in August, following Tulsi Gabbard's departure. In his current position, he oversees the National Intelligence Programme, ensuring its implementation across the intelligence community.

The Super Intelligence Force's mission is to coordinate federal government efforts to maintain America's leadership in Super Intelligence, a technology that many consider to be more significant than the Industrial Revolution and the internet. This task force will focus on protecting the interests and enhancing the lives of all Americans, according to Trump's statement on Truth Social.

Speculation has been rife about who would lead the task force, given the increasing prominence of AI in recent White House discussions. The administration recognizes AI as crucial for maintaining US economic dominance in the future, and aims to position itself in a competitive "race" with China. However, as investment in AI and related infrastructure grows, the technology has also faced scrutiny.

There have been concerns about rogue AI models compromising websites and digital assets, as well as the potential for AI to disrupt the labor market and the environmental impact of data center construction. Despite these issues, polls indicate growing unease about AI, even though many people still use AI tools in their daily lives.

Trump himself has dismissed AI safety concerns as a "hoax" and claimed that the industry could self-regulate.