Ankara:Jay Clayton has been appointed by US President Donald Trump to lead the administration's new 'Super Intelligence Force,' a move that places him at the forefront of the country's artificial intelligence strategy. Clayton, currently the director of national intelligence, is tasked with coordinating federal efforts to maintain US leadership in advanced AI and protect national interests.
According to Anadolu Agency, the announcement follows a directive from Trump requiring executive agencies to use 'super intelligence' in place of 'artificial intelligence' in official communications. The formation of the 'Super Intelligence Force' was announced shortly after a meeting at the White House with tech leaders, including CEOs from Meta, Google, Nvidia, Anthropic, xAI, and OpenAI. These executives signed a voluntary agreement on AI system safeguards.
The force will also include Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Pentagon technology chief Emil Michael, and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. Clayton's appointment comes two months after he assumed his role as director of national intelligence, highlighting the administration's view of AI as crucial to national security and competition with China.
Clayton's professional background includes leading the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 2017 to 2020 and serving as a senior policy adviser at Sullivan and Cromwell. He later served as interim US attorney for the Southern District of New York before becoming the director of national intelligence.
The 'Super Intelligence Force' will have 120 days to assess the risks and opportunities of advanced AI and define the federal role. Its mandate includes developing plans to counter SI-enabled threats while avoiding overregulation, consulting the technology industry, and reviewing legal frameworks. The initiative aims to ensure the US remains at the forefront of AI development and national security. The full details of the force's charter have not been disclosed.
Clayton's selection underscores the administration's belief that AI is a national security priority. Trump has emphasized the strategic importance of AI in competition with China, stating that leadership in 'super intelligence' is critical. He has rejected the idea of closer AI governance cooperation with China, citing national security concerns. Clayton has echoed these sentiments, describing AI as both an opportunity and a threat, and stressing the high stakes involved in leading this technological frontier.