WSJ: White House Plans ‘Super Intelligence’ Task Force

The White House plans to launch a “Super Intelligence” task force to examine the risks and opportunities surrounding artificial intelligence.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 4 that Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton said the White House is preparing to set up the task force soon. Trump is also considering appointing Clayton as the new White House “AI czar,” the report said.

Clayton will chair the task force. Its name reflects President Donald Trump’s preference for the term “super intelligence,” or SI, over artificial intelligence. Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will also serve on the panel.

The task force plans to submit a report within 120 days of its launch. The report will outline the risks posed by AI, the economic and industrial opportunities it could create, and the federal government’s role in responding. Clayton said Trump had directed officials to create a group that would carry out his agenda exactly as stated. The goal, he said, is to ensure the U.S. remains the leader in super intelligence while putting the interests of the American people first.

The task force will prioritize voluntary self-regulation by AI companies. It also plans to review, together with the industry, systems for reporting and issuing alerts on AI-related incidents. In addition, it will examine what can be addressed under current law and what further steps Congress could take.

Clayton has said the government should address the social threats posed by AI without undermining innovation and competition through excessive regulation.