AI: Jay Clayton Gets 120 Days to Set U.S. Priorities

Donald Trump entrusts a new mission to Jay Clayton. Already director of American national intelligence, he becomes the new “tsar” of the White House AI and will head a Super Intelligence Force tasked with coordinating federal policy. Clayton will have 120 days to present a report on the risks, opportunities, and the government’s role regarding artificial intelligence.

AI comes under Jay Clayton’s supervision

The appointment had been expected for several days. Donald Trump announced in September his intention to create a new force dedicated to artificial intelligence and to choose a leader for it. Cointribune then detailed the creation of this national force dedicated to AI.

The name is now known. Jay Clayton becomes the second AI “tsar” of Trump’s second term. He succeeds David Sacks, who nevertheless continues to advise the president from outside the administration.

Clayton does not leave intelligence, however. Former SEC chairman then federal prosecutor in Manhattan, he took over the national intelligence leadership on August 3. In this role, he supervises 18 American agencies and advises the president directly on intelligence matters.

His new role therefore brings AI and national security even closer. The Super Intelligence Force will bring together several senior federal officials. Andrew Ferguson, chairman of the FTC, Emil Michael, chief technology officer of the Pentagon, and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management, are notably among the announced leaders.

Trump now wants to speak of “super intelligence”

The change is not only about people. On September 29, Trump signed a decree asking the federal executive to use the expression “Super Intelligence” instead of “Artificial Intelligence” in its communications and non-legislative documents.

The White House considers that the term AI no longer sufficiently reflects the capabilities of the most advanced systems. However, the decree does not create a completely different new technological category. It currently retains the existing legal definition of artificial intelligence. The administration must work on a possible new federal definition in the coming months.

This decision comes as Washington has been seeking for several months to define its stance in response to the acceleration of AI. In May, Trump had postponed a decree on artificial intelligence after judging that some provisions might reduce the American technological advantage.

The competition with China remains very present. Washington wants to maintain its lead on advanced models, chips, and infrastructures while addressing growing security concerns. The approach so far favors mainly voluntary commitments by companies rather than very stringent federal regulation.

120 days to set American priorities

The Super Intelligence Force must now turn this orientation into more precise proposals. Jay Clayton and his team have 120 days to prepare a report identifying AI-related opportunities, major risks, and areas where the federal government should intervene.

The force must also meet several categories of stakeholders: companies, consumers, religious organizations, researchers, and other civil society representatives.

Security will be difficult to avoid. American researchers and policymakers regularly warn about the risks linked to autonomous models, cybersecurity, or military use of AI. Two American senators had already proposed this year to strengthen protection of sensitive AI technologies. However, Trump adopts an approach different from those who call for slowing development. His administration believes that overly heavy regulation could benefit China and slow down American companies.