President Donald Trump has established a new federal task force to coordinate the United States government’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI), rebranded by the administration as “super intelligence.” The group, officially named the Super Intelligence Force, aims to maintain American leadership in AI technologies while addressing public concerns about the rapid development and deployment of these systems.
Trump announced the formation of the task force on Sunday, naming Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as its head. Clayton has been tasked with overseeing the federal effort and is expected to provide a report on the risks and benefits of AI within 120 days. The initiative follows recent discussions at the White House between the administration and top executives from major AI companies, who signed a voluntary accord pledging to self-regulate their technology’s development.
The Super Intelligence Force includes several senior administration officials representing diverse areas of government responsibility. Alongside Clayton, Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson, Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor, and Emil Michael, the undersecretary of war for research and engineering, will serve as leaders of the task force. The group is designed to engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including consumer advocates, technology companies, and infrastructure providers.
The creation of the task force responds to growing public skepticism about AI and concerns about its potential risks. Last month, a high-profile resignation of an AI researcher at Anthropic—who warned of the technology’s existential threats—intensified debates on how to manage AI development safely. Prominent AI industry leaders, including CEOs of Anthropic and OpenAI, have called for a slowdown in the advancement of AI systems. However, some members of the investment and defense communities argue for continued rapid progress to maintain U.S. global competitiveness, particularly in relation to China.
Clayton emphasized the need for federal mechanisms to identify both risks and opportunities associated with AI, drawing comparisons to regulatory approaches in other sectors. The task force is expected to build on the fact that existing legal frameworks, such as those enforced by the FTC, could serve as a foundation for overseeing AI safety and ethics.
The Trump administration’s approach notably contrasts with critics who advocate for more stringent government intervention. While Trump has downplayed fears of AI, positioning it as a driver of economic growth and improved quality of life, the newly formed group reflects a recognition of the complexity and urgency of AI governance. The inclusion of officials with backgrounds in intelligence, regulation, venture capital, and military technology underscores the multifaceted challenges posed by AI.
The announcement follows Trump’s recent executive order mandating that federal agencies adopt the term “super intelligence” in official documents when referring to AI, signaling a rebranding effort that aligns with the administration’s emphasis on American leadership in this transformative technology. The task force is expected to play a central role in shaping U.S. policy toward AI in the coming months.