Trump warms to Jay Clayton as AI czar
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President Trump on Tuesday told Axios Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton would be a good AI czar.
Why it matters: Trump is actively looking to fill the position as calls for government intervention on AI intensify.
Driving the news: As the director of national intelligence, Clayton is the president's principle intelligence adviser that sits atop the 18-agency intelligence community.
- During his July confirmation hearing, Clayton said that, similarly to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's approach, for the intelligence community "it resonates that AI is 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.
Asked who he wants to be AI czar, Trump said: "I have somebody in mind."
- Clayton is "a good man. He's right here. That's a good idea," Trump added when prompted.
The precise duties of the czar have yet to be spelled out, although Trump earlier said he wants to create the AI Force, a new government agency.
- Trump told reporters outside the White House he wants to pick someone in the next three or four days.
- Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and AI executives met today to discuss balancing AI innovation and safety and encourage compoanies to regulate themselves and each other.
Catch up quick: Silicon Valley players and venture capitalist David Sacks, who also attended Tuesday's meeting, previously held the AI czar role.
- Sacks left that post in March after his special government employee status ran out but continued to exert influence from an outside advisory role.
