Trump expected to tap DNI Jay Clayton for AI czar
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Jay Clayton during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on his nomination to be Director of National Intelligence in Washington, DC, on July 15. Photo: Ken Cedeno / AFP via Getty Images
President Trump is expected to tap Jay Clayton, his director of national intelligence, for a new role as the White House's artificial intelligence — or in Trump's words, "super intelligence" — czar.
Why it matters: Clayton, who Trump previously told Axios would be a good idea for AI czar, is expected to take on the second title, sources told Axios.
- Calls for government intervention into AI's rapid development are growing, but the president has repeatedly said he favors a light regulatory touch and has called fears about the tech's threat to humanity a hoax.
- Trump had been warming to the idea of tapping Clayton, who as DNI has shown that he sees the security threats AI poses as serious.
Driving the news: Trump could make the announcement as soon as Friday, sources familiar confirmed to Axios.
- A White House official said in a statement to Axios that "[a]ny personnel announcement will be announced directly by the President. Any reporting until then is baseless speculation."
Catch up quick: Asked by Axios earlier this week 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.
What he's saying: During a confirmation hearing while auditioning for the DNI role, Clayton described AI as "not only an opportunity but a threat."
- He added: "When something is both an opportunity and a threat, you better get your arms around it."
- In a recent interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box," he described "super intelligence" as "a national security issue," saying that sentiment was recognized by AI leaders who gathered at the White House Tuesday. Clayton was present at the tech-focused lunch.
- But he added that "I don't think anybody in that room" should think a pause in development in the U.S. is "a good strategy."
Zoom out: Trump announced last month that he'd create an "AI Force" and would soon name a new AI czar, but offered few details on what the Force would do.
- Since then, he's huddled with several titans of the AI industry — some of whom have been key voices in advocating for a slowdown of the tech.
Flashback: Clayton was elevated to be Trump's principle intelligence adviser atop the 18-agency intelligence community earlier this year after his prior DNI, Tulsi Gabbard, resigned in May.
- Previously the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Clayton's qualifications received bipartisan blessings.
- After sidestepping questions over who won the 2020 election during his confirmation, Clayton was confirmed on party lines, without Democratic support.
Go deeper: Trump's call for "AI Force" sets off weekend scramble
