Trump picks intelligence chief for AI role

President Trump is expected to name Jay Clayton, Director of National Intelligence, as the White House's artificial intelligence czar. Clayton will hold the AI role alongside his current position overseeing the nation's spy agencies.

Announcement expected this week

The president teased the move this week and will most likely announce it on social media as early as Friday, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Clayton attended White House tech meeting

The announcement comes after a lengthy meeting with executives of leading technology companies at the White House on Tuesday, which Clayton attended.

Administration calls AI a security issue

In a CNBC interview after the White House AI meeting, Clayton said the Trump administration would take a whole-of-government approach to regulating the technology. He called superintelligence a national security issue.

“Superintelligence is a national security issue.”

Trump resists stronger safety regulations

Trump has largely brushed off warnings about AI risks from employees at top AI companies. He told reporters he sees tremendous self-policing and believes the technology will be used for good.

“I think I'm seeing tremendous self-policing, and they understand that they have to self-police.”

Clayton's background in law and finance

Before taking over the DNI role in August following Senate confirmation, Clayton was the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He was chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term.

Previous AI adviser moved to new role

David Sacks, who served as special adviser for AI and Crypto from January twenty twenty-five through March of this year, now serves as co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.