Jay Clayton to head US AI task force: Here’s what we know

US President Donald Trump on Sunday named Jay Clayton, Director of National Intelligence, as his administration’s AI czar.

After rebranding artificial intelligence as "super intelligence," Trump announced that Clayton would head the newly formed Super Intelligence Force (SIF), coordinating with the federal government to maintain US leadership in the technology.

In a social media post shared on Sunday, Trump announced that SIF would aim to "ensure that America continues to lead the World in Super Intelligence" and to "protect the interests, and improve the lives, of all Americans."


Trump's post also said the SIF would "coordinate the federal government's engagement with consumers, public interest groups, religious organizations, critical infrastructure providers, and super intelligence companies".

Who is Jay Clayton?

Walter ‘Jay’ Clayton has degrees in engineering and law from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master's in Economics from King's College, London. He has served as an attorney, specialising in mergers and acquisitions transactions and capital offerings.

Clayton has also previously served as the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan and led the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term.

In 2016, Joseph Shenker, senior chairman of the Sullivan & Cromwell's law firm, recommended Clayton's name to Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for the post of SEC chair, according to a Reuters report.

Clayton has told the Wall Street Journal the task force would have 120 days to produce a report assessing the risks and opportunities posed by AI and recommending what role the federal government should play.

This is the second time Trump has appointed a leader to oversee AI-driven administrative decisions. David Sacks, a venture capitalist and tech businessman, served as the administration's AI and cryptocurrency czar until March 2026, when he reached his employment limit under his designation as a "special government employee".

The other members of SIF include Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson and Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael. The task force will report to Trump and to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Trump is yet to publicly announce Clayton's appointment as the new AI czar of the US government.

On Tuesday, Trump and six executives signed an AI accord at the White House, pledging to set up internal and external oversight to ensure the technology is used as intended and that any safety issues are addressed.

The president has largely brushed aside concerns about rapid AI development while the technology has sparked alarm among other global leaders.