Jay Clayton: The man Trump may put in charge of America’s AI race

US President Donald Trump is expected to name Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as the White House's new artificial intelligence czar, with an announcement possible as early as Friday, according to two people familiar with the discussions and known to CNN.

Clayton is expected to retain his position as director of national intelligence while taking on the new AI portfolio, the sources told CNN. The White House, however, has not confirmed the appointment and cautioned against reports ahead of an official announcement.

Also read: Trump says Europe has agreed to release 'massive amount of Diesel' as global fuel squeeze intensifies


“Any personnel announcement will be announced directly by the President. Any reporting until then is baseless speculation,” a White House official told CNN.

Trump had said last month that he planned to create an “AI Force” and appoint an AI czar as his administration weighs how to manage the rapid development of artificial intelligence. The proposed role comes as Washington faces growing pressure over AI's potential risks, even as the Trump administration has prioritised maintaining US technological and economic leadership over tighter government controls.

Clayton's AI brief could come alongside intelligence role

Clayton, who was sworn in as the ninth director of national intelligence in August, previously served as US attorney for the Southern District of New York and chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term. The Senate confirmed him in July to lead the US intelligence community.

During his confirmation hearing, Clayton described AI as a “game changer” and said it was “not only an opportunity but a threat.”

“When something’s both an opportunity and a threat, you better get your arms around it,” Clayton said.

Trump had previously indicated that he viewed Clayton as a potential fit for the AI role. CBS News had also reported that Clayton was the frontrunner.

The potential appointment would add an AI policy responsibility to Clayton's existing intelligence portfolio at a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly tied to national security, economic competition and US efforts to stay ahead of China.

Also read: Trump’s diesel squeeze may put Indian refiners in a sweet spot, and a bind

Trump moves towards AI self-policing

Trump's decision comes days after he hosted leading technology and AI executives at the White House, where companies agreed to a new set of commitments focused on greater “self-policing” of their AI models.

The president said Tuesday that he was “very close to making a decision” on the AI czar and that he expected to name someone within “the next three or four days.” He also said he wanted to consult “the companies” and House Republican leadership before finalising the choice.

Venture capitalist David Sacks, who previously served as Trump's AI and cryptocurrency czar, stepped down from the government role in March 2026 after reaching the time limit for his service as a special government employee. He now co-chairs Trump's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and remains influential on AI policy.

Trump has framed AI leadership as a strategic contest with China and has argued that preserving US economic gains from the technology should remain a priority. He has previously dismissed some public concerns over AI as a “hoax.” The administration's approach has placed greater emphasis on maintaining the pace of AI development and industry-led safeguards than on imposing broad new government restrictions.