Trump names DNI Jay Clayton to lead 'Super Intelligence Force' with 120-day AI risk mandate

President Donald Trump announced a new "Super Intelligence Force" in a Truth Social post on Sunday, October 4, and named Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead it. CNBC and The Wall Street Journal had reported the pick on October 3, describing Clayton as the administration's new AI czar. The group has 120 days to report on the risks and opportunities AI poses, a deadline set by the force's charter.

The name follows Executive Order 14434, signed September 29, which directs the executive branch to use "Super Intelligence" in place of "Artificial Intelligence." That order renamed the technology; it did not create the force. Clayton, who chaired the SEC in Trump's first term, was confirmed as DNI by a 51-47 Senate vote on July 28.

The vice chairs are FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson; Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering; and Scott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management. Straight Arrow News reported that Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are also members, and Fortune reported that the group answers to Trump and chief of staff Susie Wiles. In his post, Trump called super intelligence something "many say is bigger than the Industrial Revolution, and the Internet."

According to the Journal, the charter directs the force to review AI risks and the government's mechanisms for reporting breaches, hacks and other incidents, and to recommend ways to strengthen the federal response under existing authorities, while "preventing overregulation and regulatory capture". Clayton told the Journal the aim is that "we stay the leaders in superintelligence."

The next marker is the 120-day report, including whether its recommendations stay within existing authority or call for new rules. David Sacks and Condoleezza Rice are set to serve as outside advisers, per the Journal.