Trump names intelligence chief Jay Clayton as White House AI czar

Donald Trump named Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as the new White House official overseeing artificial intelligence. The US president announced the appointment in a social media post on Sunday.

Clayton, who leads 18 US intelligence agencies, will also head an organisation Trump called the “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF).

SIF’s stated responsibilities

Trump said SIF would coordinate the federal government’s engagement with consumers, public interest groups, religious organisations, critical infrastructure providers and super-intelligence companies.

At his Senate confirmation hearing for intelligence director, Clayton described AI as a “gamechanger” and a threat. He told lawmakers that technology presenting both an opportunity and a danger required firm government control.

Trump’s earlier AI measures

In September, Trump announced an “AI Force” and a czar to oversee the technology’s growth and monitor for harmful development. He also created an advisory committee and met with AI industry leaders.

On Tuesday, Trump and six executives signed an AI accord at the White House. The agreement promised internal and external monitors to ensure the technology was used as intended and that safety issues were addressed.

Musk responds to the new label

Elon Musk said on X that “super intelligence” was better than “AI” and announced that SpaceX would rename its AI unit from SpaceXAI to SpaceXSI.

Trump had previously considered Clayton for the role. Venture capitalist and technology executive David Sacks held the administration’s combined AI and cryptocurrency czar position until March 2026, when he reached his employment limit as a “special government employee”.