President Trump Names Jay Clayton as New AI Czar

President Trump announced on Sunday that Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, will serve as the new White House AI czar. Clayton, who already leads the United States’ 18 intelligence agencies, will now head a new group called the “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF). According to NPR News, the president stated that this group will coordinate how the federal government works with technology companies, religious organizations, and providers of critical infrastructure.

President Trump prefers to use the term “super intelligence” rather than “artificial intelligence.” This change in language has already gained some attention; for example, The Guardian reports that SpaceX chief Elon Musk expressed support for the term on his social media platform, X. Musk noted that he would rename his company’s AI unit to reflect this shift. The president’s announcement is the latest step in his plan to oversee the growth of this technology, which he previously described as a way to ensure American leadership in a global race, particularly against China.

Clayton brings a long history of government service to this new role. Before his current position, he was the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan and led the Securities and Exchange Commission during the president’s first term. During his Senate confirmation hearing earlier this year, Clayton described advanced technology as both a “gamechanger” and a potential threat. He told lawmakers that when a technology presents both opportunities and risks, the government must find a way to manage it effectively. In a recent interview with CNBC, Clayton also argued against calls to pause the development of these systems, stating that it would be a poor strategy while other countries continue their own research.

The creation of the SIF follows a period of debate regarding the speed of technological progress. Some leaders in the tech industry have expressed alarm, warning that systems could become dangerous or “go rogue” if they are not carefully controlled. NPR News reports that the president has largely brushed aside these warnings, choosing instead to focus on reframing the conversation around safety and development. To address these concerns, the White House recently met with several executives from major companies. According to The Guardian, the president and six executives signed a voluntary agreement at the White House last Tuesday. This accord promises that companies will create internal and external monitors to ensure their work is safe and used as intended.

This appointment marks a shift in how the administration manages its technology policy. In early 2025, the president appointed Silicon Valley investor David Sacks as the first AI and cryptocurrency czar. Sacks served in that role until March 2026, when he reached the legal limit for his time as a special government employee. Sacks, who remains a co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, has previously supported the idea of slowing down development to address safety risks. However, NPR News notes that Sacks recently suggested on social media that tech leaders should stop waiting for permission to move forward with their work.

Despite these high-level appointments, the future of government regulation remains unclear. Currently, there is no broad federal law in the United States that regulates the development or use of this technology. While some states, such as California, have passed their own measures requiring more transparency, the national approach remains focused on coordination rather than strict legal limits. The White House has also launched a new website, America.gov, which claims to provide information sourced from official government data using artificial intelligence.

This development comes at a time of increased scrutiny regarding company culture and safety. As reported by this site yesterday, a key safety leader at OpenAI recently resigned, arguing that the company is moving too quickly and ignoring serious risks. As the new czar, Clayton will now be at the center of these competing pressures: the desire to lead the world in technology and the need to address growing concerns about safety and control. With the SIF now established, the administration is expected to continue its focus on managing these powerful tools as they become a larger part of the national security landscape.