On Sunday, President Donald Trump unveiled a new task force called the “Super Intelligence Force” to oversee the United States’ approach to artificial intelligence. Announced via a social‑media post, the initiative places Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton at its helm and draws in senior officials from the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Defense and the Office of Personnel Management. The force is charged with coordinating federal outreach to a wide array of stakeholders while ensuring the nation remains at the forefront of the technology’s development.
Composition and Mandate
The task force includes Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson and Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael. Director of the Office of Personnel Management Scott Kupor has also been named as a member. According to Trump’s statement, the group will report directly to the president and to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Its mandate, as set out by the president, is twofold: to safeguard American leadership in the field and to organise the government’s dialogue with consumers, public‑interest organisations, religious groups, critical‑infrastructure providers and firms that Trump now labels “super intelligence companies”.
Industry Response and the Morally Binding Pact
The announcement follows a pledge made by leading technology executives on 29 September. Described by Trump as a “morally binding” agreement, the pact commits signatories from OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX and Google to collaborate on AI safety measures. Trump said last week that he would create a board to oversee those safety efforts after the pact was signed.
In an interview published on 4 October, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman argued that the advantages of AI outweigh its risks and that the technology should stay publicly accessible. He told Politico’s Decoded newsletter: “The world should accept some bad things happening for the benefits of this technology and people having the agency.” Despite this, Trump has repeatedly dismissed calls for tighter oversight, preferring to let the industry self‑regulate.
Rebranding AI as ‘Super Intelligence’
On the same day as the task force reveal, President Trump signed an executive order renaming artificial intelligence as “super intelligence”. He has previously said that the term “artificial” makes the technology sound “fake”. Experts warn that the new label could cause confusion, noting that “super intelligence” traditionally refers to more advanced, potentially autonomous systems.
Several prominent figures have already adopted the phrasing. Elon Musk declared on social media that he will rename his firm’s AI platform from SpaceXAI to SpaceXSI, adding: “SpaceX is a super intelligence company.” Musk, who recently returned to a government role studying the future of war, served in the Trump administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency before his stint ended in a public disagreement with the president.
Why it Matters
The creation of the “Super Intelligence Force” signals a shift toward a more centralized, government‑led approach to AI policy in the United States, even as the president continues to favour industry self‑regulation. By bringing together intelligence, trade, defence and personnel officials, the administration aims to align national security interests with economic competitiveness while navigating growing demands for oversight from both tech leaders and civil society. The simultaneous rebranding of AI as “super intelligence” adds a layer of semantic change that could influence public perception and international dialogue, potentially altering how the technology is discussed in policy forums, investment circles and everyday conversation. As the task force begins its work, its ability to balance innovation with accountability will be closely watched by allies, adversaries and the markets that depend on the next wave of AI‑driven growth.
