The US creates a superintelligence task force and appoints Jay Clayton to lead it
3–4 minutes
On Sunday, October 4th, Donald Trump announced that Jay Clayton, the current Director of National Intelligence in the United States, will lead the newly established Superintelligence Task Force, a White House group focused on artificial intelligence. The initiative has 120 days to assess the technology’s risks and opportunities and recommend the federal government’s role in this area.
Clayton will hold both positions simultaneously. According to Trump, the goal is to ensure the United States remains a global leader in superintelligence, a field that many compare in impact to the Industrial Revolution and the internet, as the president stated.
What is the Superintelligence Task Force?
According to CNBC, the task force has 120 days to study AI’s risks and opportunities and recommend actions for the federal government. It will also coordinate government dialogue with consumers, civil society organizations, religious groups, critical infrastructure operators, and industry companies.
In addition to Clayton, the group includes Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Emil Michael, the Pentagon’s Chief Technology Officer; and Scott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
On September 29th, Trump signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to replace the term “artificial intelligence” with “superintelligence” in official documents. That same day, executives from leading AI companies signed voluntary safety commitments at the White House.
Who is Jay Clayton?
Born in 1966 in Newport News, Virginia, Clayton built a career as a Wall Street lawyer. In 2017, Trump appointed him to lead the SEC, the US securities commission, a position he held until December 2020.
In 2025, he returned to government as a federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York. In June 2026, Trump nominated him to replace Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, overseeing the CIA and other intelligence agencies. The Senate confirmed the nomination by a 51-47 vote on July 28th, and Clayton was sworn in in August.
Why is this choice controversial?
Clayton’s technology experience is tied to cryptocurrencies. In 2017, he established the SEC’s cyber unit and initiated actions against initial coin offerings. During his tenure, the agency filed 57 lawsuits against digital asset companies, including Ripple, which the SEC later dropped during Trump’s second term, according to CoinDesk.
This regulatory approach, later associated with Gary Gensler (appointed by Democrat Joe Biden), was criticized by the cryptocurrency industry. They argue that the appointment places AI policy in the hands of someone with a history of strict oversight of new technologies.
Clayton is Trump’s second choice to lead government AI decisions. Previously, investor David Sacks oversaw both AI and cryptocurrencies but resigned from the cryptocurrency role in March.
The Superintelligence Task Force is expected to present its recommendations, with a 120-day deadline, in early February 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jay Clayton?
Jay Clayton has served as the Director of National Intelligence of the United States since August 2026. A lawyer, he chaired the SEC from 2017 to 2020 and served as a federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York from 2025 to 2026.
What is the Superintelligence Task Force?
It is a White House task force created to coordinate US government policy on artificial intelligence, with 120 days to assess risks and opportunities and recommend the federal government’s role.
Who is part of the task force?
In addition to Clayton, the group includes Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the FTC; Emil Michael, the Pentagon’s Chief Technology Officer; and Scott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
Why does Trump use the term “superintelligence”?
On September 29th, Trump signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to replace the term “artificial intelligence” with “superintelligence” in official documents.
Why is Clayton’s appointment controversial?
As SEC Chairman, Clayton initiated strict oversight of the cryptocurrency sector, filing 57 lawsuits against digital asset companies. Some in the technology industry view his track record as a sign of potential stricter regulation.
