US President Donald Trump has announced the creation of a new federal taskforce to coordinate the government’s approach to artificial intelligence, naming Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead the initiative.
Trump has called the new body the “Super Intelligence Force”, reflecting his administration’s decision to promote “super intelligence” as its preferred term for artificial intelligence.
The taskforce is intended to coordinate federal efforts to ensure the United States remains a global leader in advanced AI technology while addressing risks associated with its development and use.
Trump announced the initiative on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Super Intelligence Force given broad mandate
According to Trump, the Super Intelligence Force will coordinate the federal government’s engagement with consumers, public interest groups, religious organisations, critical infrastructure providers and technology companies.
The taskforce will also report directly to Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Other officials named to the taskforce include Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor.
The administration has given the taskforce a broad mandate as the US government grapples with the rapid development of increasingly powerful AI systems.
Reports indicate that the group is expected to examine both the opportunities and risks presented by the technology and consider how the federal government should respond without imposing measures that could hinder innovation or US competitiveness.
Reuters reported that the taskforce has 120 days to produce a report examining AI-related risks and opportunities.
Jay Clayton to lead US AI effort
Clayton, who became Director of National Intelligence in August, brings experience in government and financial regulation to the new role.
Before becoming the country's intelligence chief, he served as chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020 and previously worked as US attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Clayton has argued that the United States needs to remain at the forefront of AI development, particularly as it competes with other countries in advanced technology.
His appointment places a senior national security official at the centre of the administration’s effort to coordinate its approach to increasingly capable AI systems.
Trump seeks balance between AI innovation and risks
The creation of the taskforce comes amid increasing debate in the United States over how AI should be regulated and how governments should respond to potential risks associated with increasingly capable systems.
Trump has generally opposed regulations that he believes could slow the growth of the AI industry, instead emphasising innovation and industry-led safeguards.
The new taskforce therefore comes as the administration seeks to balance concerns about AI safety with its goal of maintaining US technological leadership.
The announcement follows a White House meeting with leading technology executives in late September, during which companies signed a voluntary agreement relating to AI safety and responsibility.
The agreement was not a federal regulation and relies largely on companies voluntarily implementing the commitments.
Administration promotes “Super Intelligence” terminology
Trump has also moved to change the terminology used by the federal government.
An executive order issued in September directed government agencies to use “SI” and “Super Intelligence” in official communications rather than “AI” and “artificial intelligence”.
The terminology change has attracted debate among technology experts, some of whom have questioned whether “super intelligence” accurately describes the broad range of systems currently referred to as artificial intelligence.
Some technology leaders have nevertheless begun adopting the terminology.
Elon Musk said on October 4 that his company's AI platform would be renamed from SpaceXAI to SpaceXSI, aligning the name with the administration’s preferred terminology.
Debate continues over AI safeguards
The Trump administration’s approach has also faced pressure from technology executives and researchers who have called for stronger safeguards as AI capabilities advance.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently argued that society should accept some risks from AI because of the potential benefits of the technology and the importance of allowing people access to it.
The new Super Intelligence Force now places senior US government officials at the centre of the administration’s effort to shape the country’s AI strategy.
Its work is expected to influence how Washington approaches the opportunities, risks and regulation of increasingly advanced AI systems.
