Trump Names Intelligence Chief Clayton as White House AI Czar
Trump named Jay Clayton the White House AI czar on Sunday. Clayton is director of national intelligence and leads 18 US intelligence agencies.
Clayton will lead AI policy and head a White House task force. The task force will coordinate the response to rapidly evolving technology.
It is called the “Super Intelligence Force.” Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson will also lead it. Pentagon official Emil Michael and Scott Kupor will also lead it.
Kupor directs the Office of Personnel Management. The force will report to Trump and chief of staff Susie Wiles.
Clayton was Manhattan's top federal prosecutor. He also chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission in Trump's first term.
At his Senate hearing he called AI a “gamechanger.” But he also said it posed “a threat.” Trump announced plans for the force and czar last month. That followed a meeting where AI companies signed a voluntary self-policing deal. David Sacks held the earlier AI and crypto role until March 2026.
Key Terms 3
- AI Short for artificial intelligence. Computer systems that can do tasks people usually do.
- czar A nickname for a top official put in charge of one issue.
- gamechanger Something that greatly changes how things are done.