Trump names Jay Clayton to lead new AI task force

What happened: President Trump has named Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead a new federal AI task force. The Wall Street Journal and then CNBC reported the pick on 3 October. Trump formally announced it on Sunday 4 October.

The details: The group is branded the "Super Intelligence Force". Its members are Clayton, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Pentagon CTO Emil Michael and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. It reports to Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

The remit: The task force will coordinate federal efforts "to ensure that America continues to lead the World in Super Intelligence". It is to engage consumers, public-interest groups, religious organisations, critical-infrastructure providers and AI companies.

The numbers: The WSJ reported the group must deliver a report within 120 days.

In their words: Trump described AI as something "many say is bigger than the Industrial Revolution, and the Internet."

The context: The move follows the White House luncheon where AI chiefs signed a voluntary self-regulation accord, the Super Intelligence Accord. It also follows the FTC inquiry into OpenAI and Anthropic, and the summer's rogue-agent incidents.

Why it matters: Bloomberg framed the appointment as a response to safety fears. The administration still favours industry self-regulation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the AI industry must own its risks.

What's next: The first deliverable is the report, due within 120 days according to the WSJ. PBS NewsHour also covered the announcement.