Trump Names Jay Clayton To Lead ‘Super Intelligence Force’ With 120-Day AI Risk Review

US President Donald Trump has appointed Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead a new White House task force, dubbed the “Super Intelligence Force,” that will assess the risks and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence and recommend how the US government should respond.

Clayton, who became intelligence chief in August, will effectively serve as the administration’s new AI czar. The task force has 120 days to submit a report on advanced AI, including the government’s role in overseeing the technology and ways to strengthen its response to emerging threats.

Trump announced the force on Sunday, saying it would coordinate the federal government’s engagement with AI companies, consumers, public interest groups, religious organisations and critical infrastructure providers. The group will report to Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

The task force will examine existing mechanisms for reporting AI-related breaches, hacks and other incidents and recommend ways to improve the federal response using existing authorities. Its broader mandate is to assess AI’s potential benefits and risks while helping the US maintain its position at the forefront of advanced AI.

Clayton told The Wall Street Journal that Trump had specifically asked for the group to be formed and warned that “the risk of not being first is high”, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on maintaining US technological leadership.

The panel’s leadership also includes Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. Vice President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Wiles are among its members, while venture capitalist David Sacks and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will serve as external advisers.

The announcement follows Trump’s meeting with top AI executives at the White House last week, where major technology companies agreed to voluntary commitments aimed at strengthening safeguards and oversight of increasingly powerful AI systems. Trump has favoured industry-led measures and argued that excessive regulation could undermine US competitiveness, particularly against China.

Trump has also moved to replace the term “artificial intelligence” with “Super Intelligence” in federal communications, making the terminology part of his administration’s broader AI strategy.