WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (Infinite Headlines) — A new federal artificial intelligence task force will review the technology’s risks and opportunities and recommend how the government should respond. President Donald Trump announced Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, that Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton would lead the group, called the “Super Intelligence Force.”
The effort centers on coordinating federal AI policy and reviewing how the government handles technology-related incidents. Clayton told The Wall Street Journal that the task force would have 120 days to produce its report and recommend the federal government’s role.
What will the task force examine?
The task-force charter calls for a review of AI-related risks and the government’s existing systems for reporting breaches, hacks and other incidents, according to The Wall Street Journal’s account of the document. It also calls for recommendations to strengthen the federal response using powers the government already has.
The Washington Examiner reported that the group would discuss possible legislative options for an AI framework. That would involve considering legislation, alongside the charter’s review of responses under existing government authority.
Trump described the group’s broader purpose in his Truth Social announcement: “The Super Intelligence Force is tasked with coordinating the effort of the Federal Government to ensure that America continues to lead the World in Super Intelligence, which many say is bigger than the Industrial Revolution, and the Internet, and will protect the interests, and improve the lives, of all Americans.”
“Super intelligence” is the term Trump used for the technology at the center of the effort. His comparison with the Industrial Revolution and the internet expresses his view of its potential impact.
Who will lead it?
Alongside Clayton, Trump named Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Pentagon chief technology officer Emil Michael and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor among the task force’s leaders. Michael is also the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering.
Trump said the group would report to him and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
The Washington Examiner reported that Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, venture capitalist David Sacks and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would also be members.
Clayton previously chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission and served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. His current job is leading the U.S. intelligence community.
He testified at a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing on July 15, 2026, The Columbian reported. At that hearing, Clayton described AI as a “game changer.” The Senate confirmed him in July, CNBC reported, and he became director of national intelligence in August, according to CBC.
Explaining how the task force came about, Clayton told The Wall Street Journal: “The president asked that a group be put together.”
Who will be involved outside government?
Trump said the task force would coordinate federal engagement with consumers, public interest groups, religious organizations, critical infrastructure providers and companies working on the technology. The planned outreach extends beyond AI developers to organizations and people affected by its use.
The announcement followed a White House meeting with AI-company executives the previous week. Trump said those executives had signed a voluntary accord on the technology.
CBS News identified leaders from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, Nvidia and SpaceXAI among the meeting’s attendees. After that meeting, Trump told reporters that he planned to name an AI czar within three or four days.
The selection had also been anticipated by news organizations before Trump’s announcement. NBC News reported Friday that Clayton was expected to be named AI czar. CBS News separately reported that he was likely to be chosen, citing unnamed sources.
