Donald Trump appoints Jay Clayton as artificial intelligence tsar

U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Jay Clayton as the administration's "AI tsar." The move follows earlier announcements by Trump regarding the creation of a "Super Intelligence Force" to ensure American leadership in the sector while addressing potential societal threats.

As the newly appointed lead, Clayton will head a White House task force mandated to report on the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence within 120 days. According to his interview with the Wall Street Journal, the primary objective is to maintain U.S. competitive advantage and address national security threats without stifling innovation through excessive regulation or regulatory capture by vested interests. Clayton noted that the risk of the United States falling behind in this field is considered significant.

This appointment marks the second time during Trump's current term that a specific advisor has been tasked with overseeing AI policy, following the tenure of entrepreneur David Sacks, who continues to provide counsel. The administration’s focus arrives amidst mounting pressure from lawmakers and researchers concerned about the rapid advancement and potential dangers of unchecked AI systems.