An intelligence chief takes on AI policy
President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, is now the White House AI czar. The role puts Clayton at the centre of how the administration sets rules for artificial intelligence.
Clayton was confirmed as director of national intelligence in July by a 51-47 Senate vote along party lines. He is a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and was U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
A new federal task force
Clayton will also lead a new federal task force on artificial intelligence. The White House named several other members. They include Federal Trade Commission chairman Andrew Ferguson, Emil Michael, the Pentagon's chief technology officer, and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management.
The group will report to the president and to chief of staff Susie Wiles. The task force is expected to look at how agencies buy, test and deploy AI tools, and how to keep policy consistent across government.
Why the job matters now
AI has become a major topic in Washington as agencies write procurement rules and weigh safety questions. The earlier AI and crypto czar, David Sacks, was appointed in December 2024. His brief was to advise the administration on policy for the technology.
Clayton's dual role is unusual. He will shape intelligence policy and AI policy at the same time, at a point when governments are weighing how much to restrict the use of AI in sensitive work. Officials did not say when the task force will hold its first meeting or publish recommendations.