US President Donald Trump announced plans to appoint a new AI czar by October 5, 2026. The primary candidate for this role is Jay Clayton, the current Director of National Intelligence. The position is an informal designation for a senior official tasked with coordinating government efforts in a specific sector.
Clayton, who has served as Director of National Intelligence since August 3, 2026, previously led the SEC from 2017 to 2020 and served as a federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York. His background includes extensive experience in corporate law, cybersecurity, and financial regulation.
The administration is prioritizing AI development, which Trump described as a potential driver for up to 25% of the US GDP. On September 30, 2026, the White House announced that the term AI will be replaced with superintelligence in executive branch documents to better reflect the technology's capabilities.
Additionally, the US President and leaders from Google, Anthropic, Meta, OpenAI, xAI, and Nvidia signed an agreement to establish independent committees within their boards of directors. These committees are tasked with overseeing the safety of advanced AI models, addressing concerns regarding cybersecurity and biological threats.
