Trump Establishes 'Super Intelligence Force' to Steer AI Policy as Rebranding Push Intensifies

US President Donald Trump has announced the formation of a new taskforce dedicated to artificial intelligence, which he says will be called the "Super Intelligence Force" and will operate under the leadership of Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton. The president revealed the initiative in a post on Sunday, framing it as a mechanism to safeguard American dominance in the rapidly evolving technology sector.

According to Trump, the taskforce will concentrate on maintaining the United States' leading position in AI development while also coordinating how the federal government communicates with a wide range of stakeholders. He indicated that the group's outreach would extend to consumers, public interest organizations, religious groups, operators of critical infrastructure, and the AI companies themselves.

The announcement follows an executive order Trump signed on 29 September that formally directs government departments and agencies to adopt the terminology "SI" and "Super Intelligence" in place of "artificial intelligence." The order states that the older term should no longer be recognized in official correspondence, on government websites, in reports, and in other forms of communication. Trump had previously argued that the word "artificial" made the technology sound "fake."

Beyond Clayton, the taskforce will include several other senior officials. Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor have all been named as members. The group is expected to report directly to the president and to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, giving it a direct line to the heart of the administration.

Clayton's appointment as the taskforce's chief follows his confirmation as national intelligence director in August. He assumed the role after Trump's initial pick for the position, Bill Pulte, was rejected by lawmakers. Clayton has previously served as US attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he oversaw several high-profile cases, including the drug trafficking prosecution of former Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro.

On the subject of AI, Clayton has offered a measured view of the technology's dual nature. "When something's both an opportunity and a threat, you better get your arms around it," he has said, suggesting an awareness of both the promise and the perils posed by advanced systems.

The creation of the taskforce comes amid mounting pressure from influential figures in the technology industry, including executives at OpenAI and Anthropic, who have been calling for tighter regulation of AI. Their concerns have centered on safety, accountability, and the potential for misuse as systems grow more capable.

In an interview published on 4 October, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman weighed in on the debate, arguing that the advantages of AI justify accepting a degree of risk. He told Politico's technology-focused newsletter Decoded that the technology should remain accessible to the general public. "The world should accept some bad things happening for the benefits of this technology and people having the agency," Altman said, staking out a position that favors broad availability over restrictive control.

Trump, for his part, has consistently dismissed calls for stronger oversight and has largely favored allowing AI companies to regulate themselves. That approach was underscored last week when he announced plans to set up a board to oversee AI safety after top tech bosses signed what he described as a "morally binding" pact. The agreement, signed on 29 September, includes the signatures of executives from major firms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX, and Google.

The rebranding effort has not been without controversy. Some experts have questioned the logic behind replacing "artificial intelligence" with "super intelligence," noting that the latter term is typically reserved for far more advanced systems than those currently in existence. They warn that the shift could generate confusion among the public, policymakers, and international partners who rely on established terminology.

Despite the skepticism, some prominent technology leaders have already begun adopting the new name. Elon Musk, the multi-billionaire head of Tesla and SpaceX, said on social media Sunday that he would rename his firm's AI platform from SpaceXAI to SpaceXSI. "SpaceX is a super intelligence company," Musk wrote, throwing his weight behind the administration's linguistic shift.

Musk's endorsement carries particular significance given his recent return to the US government. He has been brought back to participate in a project examining the future of warfare. His previous stint in the Trump administration, during which he headed the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, ended in a public spat with the president, making his renewed involvement notable.

The taskforce's mandate to engage with critical infrastructure providers reflects growing concerns about the intersection of AI and national security. As AI systems become embedded in energy grids, communications networks, and transportation systems, the federal government faces pressure to ensure that those dependencies do not become vulnerabilities.

The inclusion of the FTC chair on the taskforce also signals that competition and consumer protection issues will be part of the broader AI policy conversation. The agency has been active in examining the market power of large technology companies, and its participation suggests that antitrust and fairness considerations will not be sidelined.

The White House has not yet detailed a timeline for the taskforce's work or specified how its recommendations will be translated into policy. It remains unclear whether the group will have regulatory authority or will function primarily as an advisory and coordinating body.

For now, the initiative represents the latest step in a broader effort by the Trump administration to shape the trajectory of AI development in the United States. How effectively the Super Intelligence Force can balance innovation, security, and public accountability will likely determine whether the rebranding amounts to more than a change in vocabulary.