The White House has established a new task force, led by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, to evaluate the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence and recommend federal oversight measures within 120 days, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal. The group, officially titled the Super Intelligence Force, will be chaired by Clayton, who will serve in an advisory role akin to an AI czar under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Clayton confirmed his leadership of the task force in an exclusive interview with the Journal, stating the initiative aims to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in superintelligence while prioritizing American interests. The task force’s findings are expected to guide the federal government’s approach to AI regulation and development.
The announcement follows Trump’s prior commitment to form an AI-focused group, as outlined in a September Truth Social post where he pledged to "cherish" and "help" the AI industry grow while rooting out bad actors. Trump emphasized hiring individuals with "high I.Q." for the role, and Clayton’s appointment aligns with this directive.
Clayton, a former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, was confirmed by the Senate in July to lead the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies as DNI. His selection comes days after AI industry leaders met with Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson at the White House, where they signed a non-binding voluntary safety standards agreement described by Trump as "morally binding."
The task force’s creation reflects broader debates in Washington about AI’s rapid advancement and the need for structured oversight. While supporters argue the initiative positions the U.S. at the forefront of AI governance, critics have raised concerns about the potential for overregulation or insufficient safeguards.
Clayton’s leadership of the Super Intelligence Force underscores the administration’s focus on balancing innovation with risk mitigation in AI development.