Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton will lead a new White House task force called the “Super Intelligence Force” to research artificial intelligence risks and opportunities, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. The panel has 120 days to deliver recommendations on federal responsibilities regarding superintelligence.
White House Launches Super Intelligence Force Under Jay Clayton
The Trump administration has tapped Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to spearhead its evolving artificial intelligence strategy. Clayton confirmed his new role leading the White House task force to The Wall Street Journal following an earlier announcement by President Donald Trump.
The newly formed group operates under the preferred administration term “Super Intelligence Force,” or SI, rather than artificial intelligence. According to a senior White House official cited by the Journal, Clayton effectively steps into the role of the administration’s new AI czar.
“The president asked that a group be put together that was going to ensure exactly what he said, which is that we stay the leaders in superintelligence, and that the interests of the American people are put first,” Clayton stated, as reported by the Journal.
Mandate and Timeline for the New AI Task Force
The newly created task force operates on a strict 120-day clock.
The initiative follows a September Truth Social announcement by Trump, where he detailed plans to establish an “AI Force” aimed at supporting the domestic tech industry while identifying bad actors. In that same post, the president stated that the administration would avoid stifling industry growth and noted that “Only High I.Q. individuals need apply!”
Did you know? Jay Clayton serves as the Director of National Intelligence with oversight of 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, following his Senate confirmation in July 2026. Prior to his DNI appointment, he chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission and worked as a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Industry Leaders Urge Strict Federal Guardrails as Administration Resists Mandates
Clayton’s appointment arrives just days after major AI industry leaders met with Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson at the White House. During those meetings, developers signed voluntary safety standards that the president described as “morally binding.”
The approach highlights a stark division over federal intervention. Chief executives such as Dario Amodei of Anthropic and Sam Altman of OpenAI have repeatedly urged lawmakers to establish strict federal guardrails for frontier AI models.
Despite those warnings, the administration has resisted regulatory mandates.
Sacks remains the co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, an external advisory committee focused on innovation policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About the White House Task Force
What is the Super Intelligence Force?
The Super Intelligence Force, or SI, is a newly formed White House task force led by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton. The group has 120 days to research AI risks and opportunities and report on federal responsibilities regarding the technology.
Who previously held the AI czar role in the administration?
Venture capitalist David Sacks previously served as the administration’s AI and crypto czar until his time as a special government employee concluded in March.
What federal agencies does Jay Clayton oversee?
As Director of National Intelligence, a position to which the Senate confirmed him in July, Clayton holds authority over 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.
Did the White House comment on the task force announcement?
The White House did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment following the initial report by The Wall Street Journal.
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