U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the creation of a new federal task force to oversee the administration’s efforts on artificial intelligence, calling it the “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF).
Trump announced the initiative Sunday, October 4, saying the task force would coordinate the federal government’s efforts to ensure the United States remains a global leader in what he prefers to call “super intelligence” rather than artificial intelligence.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton will lead the new force. Other senior officials named to the group are Andrew Ferguson, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission; Emil Michael, the Pentagon’s undersecretary for research and engineering and chief technology officer; and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management.
The task force will report to Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. It is expected to coordinate the government’s engagement with consumers, public-interest groups, religious organizations, critical infrastructure providers and AI companies.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the force would help protect Americans’ interests while ensuring the country maintains its leadership in super intelligence.
The president first floated the idea of creating a new AI task force and appointing an AI czar in September, as debate intensified over the risks and regulation of rapidly advancing AI systems.
Trump has consistently opposed what he considers excessive regulation of the technology. He has argued that the United States should encourage AI development rather than impose rules that could slow innovation or weaken its position relative to China.
The new task force is expected to produce a comprehensive report within 120 days, examining the risks and opportunities presented by AI and recommending how the federal government should respond. Its mandate includes addressing potential threats while avoiding regulations that the administration believes could hinder innovation and competition.
Growing Debate Over AI Risks
The announcement comes amid growing concern among researchers, technology executives and policymakers about the potential risks posed by increasingly capable AI systems.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has called for a slower and more coordinated approach to the global race to develop advanced AI, warning about the possibility of serious societal and security consequences. Other technology leaders have also raised concerns about AI safety and the need for safeguards.
At the same time, the Trump administration has emphasized maintaining U.S. technological leadership and competing with China. Jay Clayton has similarly argued that falling behind other countries in advanced AI could itself pose a major strategic risk.
The issue has also gained prominence at the White House. Trump hosted leaders of major AI companies last week, including executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, Nvidia and other technology firms.
Following the meeting, the companies signed a voluntary agreement outlining safety commitments, including internal controls, external audits and regular efforts to establish safety standards and best practices. Trump described the arrangement as “morally binding” and said he expected the industry to police itself.
The agreement is voluntary rather than a federal regulation, meaning the companies are not being subjected to new legally binding AI safety requirements through the accord.
Trump’s creation of the Super Intelligence Force therefore reflects a dual approach: expanding federal coordination over the rapidly developing technology while continuing to resist what his administration sees as excessive government regulation.
The move also gives Clayton, who became director of national intelligence in August, a prominent new role at the center of the administration’s AI strategy. Before taking over the intelligence post, Clayton served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020.
