President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to name Jay Clayton to a new White House position overseeing artificial intelligence — a role the president has called supervision of "super intelligence." Axios sources say Clayton, currently identified by those sources as director of national intelligence, is expected to take on the additional title of AI czar.
Why It Matters
Calls for government action to manage AI's rapid development are growing. Trump has signaled a preference for a light regulatory approach and has at times downplayed warnings about AI's long-term risks. Appointing an AI czar would signal how the administration plans to balance national-security concerns with industry innovation.
Driving The News
Sources told Axios the president could announce the appointment as soon as Friday. A White House official told Axios: "[A]ny personnel announcement will be announced directly by the President. Any reporting until then is baseless speculation."
Catch Up Quick
When asked this week who he had in mind for an AI czar, Trump replied, "I have somebody in mind," then named Clayton and called him "a good man."
What He's Saying
During a confirmation hearing while seeking his intelligence post, Clayton described AI as "not only an opportunity but a threat," adding, "When something is both an opportunity and a threat, you better get your arms around it." In a CNBC "Squawk Box" interview, he characterized "super intelligence" as "a national security issue" and said AI leaders who met at the White House shared that concern. He also warned that pausing U.S. AI development would not be viewed as a good strategy by many in the industry.
Quote: "When something is both an opportunity and a threat, you better get your arms around it." — Jay Clayton (during his confirmation hearing)
Zoom Out
Last month Trump announced plans to create an "AI Force" and said he would soon name an AI czar, without offering many details about the group's remit. Since then, he has met with several prominent figures in the AI industry, including some who have publicly urged slowing development or implementing stronger safeguards.
Background & Reporting Notes
According to Axios reporting, Clayton was elevated earlier this year to serve as the president's principal intelligence adviser after his predecessor resigned in May. Reports indicate his confirmation drew partisan votes. Some details about Clayton's prior career and exact responsibilities have been reported by the press; where possible this article attributes those claims to sources rather than asserting them as independent facts.
What to watch: Look for an official White House announcement for confirmation and further detail on the AI Force's mandate, scope, and how it will coordinate with existing agencies and private-sector stakeholders.
