❯ Trump creates a “Super Intelligence Force” led by intelligence chief Clayton to coordinate federal AI work

A new coordinating bodyTrump announced the creation of a “Super Intelligence Force” on his social media platform on October 4. According to ABC News, its task is to coordinate the federal government’s efforts so that America keeps leading in “super intelligence” while protecting American lives and interests. “Super intelligence” is Trump’s new term for AI.

Intelligence, antitrust, defense and personnelThe force is led by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, who also serves as White House AI czar. Its other members are Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. It will engage with consumers, public-interest and religious groups, critical infrastructure providers and AI companies.

Risk management modeled on financeIts work includes examining current law, discussing possible action by Congress, and developing risk management mechanisms modeled on frameworks from the financial industry. On September 29, the White House had gathered tech CEOs, and AI leaders signed a self-policing pledge. Clayton said: “The risk of not being first is high… Being first will better enable us to address those risks on behalf of the American people.”

How far self-regulation goesPutting the head of the intelligence community in charge of AI means the government sees this first as a national security matter. AI companies now face a single counterpart, but the rules still rest mainly on self-regulation. Former FTC Chair Lina Khan has publicly dismissed the pledge.

▪ SIGNALThe US government’s first standing coordinator for AI has been handed to the intelligence chief, so regulation starts from “we cannot lose” instead of “nothing can go wrong.”