Trump names Jay Clayton to lead new federal AI task force

President Donald Trump has named Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead a new federal AI task force, the White House announced on Sunday 4 October, a day after media reports of the choice.

The group is branded the "Super Intelligence Force". The Wall Street Journal and then CNBC reported on 3 October that Trump had picked Clayton as his AI czar.

The task force's other members are FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Pentagon CTO Emil Michael and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. It reports to Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, according to PBS NewsHour.

Its remit is to coordinate federal efforts "to ensure that America continues to lead the World in Super Intelligence". It is to engage consumers, public-interest groups, religious organisations, critical-infrastructure providers and AI companies.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the group is to deliver a report within 120 days.

Bloomberg framed the move as a response to safety fears.

The announcement follows a White House luncheon at which AI chiefs signed a voluntary self-regulation accord, the Super Intelligence Accord. It also follows an FTC inquiry into OpenAI and Anthropic and the summer's rogue-agent incidents.

The administration continues to favour industry self-regulation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the AI industry must own its risks. The task force's report is due within 120 days, according to the Wall Street Journal.