Former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and current Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, will now lead the newly minted Super Intelligence Force (SIF).
Clayton, a relative neophyte to the Byzantine machinations of Washington, D.C., when he took over the SEC during the first Trump Administration, was fairly successful in managing the nation’s top securities regulator. On the eve of the Trump Administration’s second term, the White House showed its appreciation so much that it soon selected him as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and later as Director of National Intelligence. Clayton became the 9th DNI on August 3rd. The DNI serves at the White House as the head of the intelligence community and the President’s principal adviser for intelligence matters.
Earlier today, President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that:
“Following the Historic White House Accord on Super Intelligence, where the World’s most important Technology Companies came together and confirmed their responsibilities to the American People, I am announcing the formation of the Super Intelligence Force (SIF).”
Trump took it upon himself to rename Artificial Intelligence while promoting leadership within the US. The gathering of AI leaders sought to create consensus on the development of the technology as fears grow that SI could eventually become “self-aware” and doom humanity. This is in lieu of the potential for ham-fisted legislation that has a tendency to overcorrect, especially during a period of key competition with the USA’s top adversary, China.
Trump shared that SIF will coordinate with “Consumers, Public Interest Groups, Religious Organizations, Critical Infrastructure Providers, and Super Intelligence Companies.”
Others involved in the SFI include FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson; Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering and Chief Technology Officer, Emil Michael; and Director of the Office of Personnel Management, Scott Kupor – all reporting directly to the President.
The SFI has approximately six months to review SI and prepare a report on government policy.
While some have advocated “pausing” AI development, Clayton has noted that this is too big a risk as the world rushes for SI leadership. Speaking with CNBC, Clayton said artificial intelligence is a national security risk and that federal agencies are best positioned to manage any collateral risk.