Sources say President Trump plans to name Jay Clayton as the White House’s AI czar, keeping him in his current post as director of national intelligence while giving him the additional title. The president is expected to make the call shortly.
A post on social media made the announcement, paired with a joke about intelligence. Last month, Trump wrote: “Only High I.Q. individuals need apply!” The posting arrives during growing debate over how to manage the risks and potential of ever-more-powerful AI technology. On Tuesday, the leaders of the country’s top AI firms gathered at the White House to sign a set of voluntary safety standards.
Shortly after that meeting, Trump told reporters he planned to name an AI czar within three or four days. “We have somebody that’s extraordinary,” he said.
Clayton’s Current Role
Clayton is the person now holding the post of director of national intelligence. Sources indicate the administration has been weighing letting him stay in his present position while also adding the duties of AI czar to his portfolio. No official confirmation of the move has come from the White House, and all reporting on it stays speculative until the president makes a formal announcement.
The administration has not confirmed the appointment, and no timeline has been given for when a final decision might be reached. The White House has directed journalists to wait on a formal announcement from the president rather than speculate further.
The Safety Standards Meeting
On Tuesday, the leaders of the nation’s leading AI companies met at the White House, where they signed a set of voluntary safety standards. The gathering drew together the heads of the country’s top AI firms to put their names to a set of guidelines meant to govern how AI systems are built and deployed.
Trump’s Social Media Announcement
Last month, Trump announced he wanted to appoint an AI czar. He made the announcement through a post on social media, drawing on the “High I.Q. individuals need apply!” line. The post was posted alongside a joke about intelligence, and it came amid growing public debate over how to manage the risks and potential of ever-more-powerful AI technology.
What the White House Says
A White House official addressed CBS News after being asked for comment, saying: “Any personnel announcement will be announced directly by the President. Any reporting until then is baseless speculation.” The statement reflects how the administration has handled unverified reports on the subject since the announcement was first made.
No confirmation has come from the White House, and officials are directing journalists to wait on a formal announcement from the president. The White House has made its position clear: it will not confirm the appointment until the president himself announces it.
The Appointment Timeline
There is no clear timeline for when the appointment will be made. Trump stated he intended to name an AI czar within three or four days following the Tuesday meeting. According to the sources, the administration has been talking about the matter, though no final decision has been reached.
The White House has not offered any update since the meeting, and the president has not yet made the announcement. The administration has indicated that a formal announcement is coming, but has not said when.
Key Facts
- Jay Clayton is the current director of national intelligence.
- Trump announced plans to name an AI czar last month on social media.
- The leaders of top AI firms signed voluntary safety standards at a White House meeting on Tuesday.
- Trump said he planned to name an AI czar within three or four days after the meeting.
- A White House official called reporting on the appointment “baseless speculation.”
No confirmation has come from the White House regarding the appointment, though the narrative continues to unfold.
Source material: “Trump likely to pick Jay Clayton for AI czar, sources say,” CBS News.
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