Former SEC Chair and current Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton has been appointed by President Donald Trump to lead a newly formed White House task force focused on artificial intelligence, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The group, called the “Super Intelligence Force” or SI, will study the risks and opportunities of AI technology and advise on how the federal government should oversee its development. Clayton will have 120 days to deliver findings and recommendations, effectively making him the administration’s AI czar.

This move follows recent industry concerns over AI’s rapid evolution, including a series of high-profile AI system breaches and calls from leaders in the field for regulatory caution. AI executives from companies like Anthropic and OpenAI have been urging the federal government to establish guardrails to manage the emerging risks of frontier AI models. Despite these warnings, Trump has publicly stated opposition to regulation, downplaying fears about AI and emphasizing innovation and leadership in this technology sector.

Trump announced plans for an AI-focused government role on his social platform in September, pledging to nurture the industry while policing bad actors. He asserted that only highly qualified individuals would be considered for such positions and expressed commitment to preserving American leadership in what he terms “superintelligence.” The announcement of Clayton’s appointment follows a recent White House meeting with AI developers, where voluntary safety standards were agreed upon and described by Trump as “morally binding.”

Clayton, confirmed by the Senate as DNI in July 2026, oversees 18 U.S. intelligence agencies and brings significant legal and regulatory experience to his new role. His tenure as SEC Chair and U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York highlights a background in law enforcement and financial oversight. His new task force will represent a key federal effort to balance AI innovation with addressing the technology’s growing risks amid widespread public and industry scrutiny.