Trump Eyes Former SEC Chair Jay Clayton for Key AI Role

Donald Trump is reportedly considering Jay Clayton as his next AI Czar. Clayton, who currently serves as the U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI), would bring a unique set of skills to the role. As SEC Chair from May 2017 through December 2020, he oversaw the agency's response to the crypto market boom and was involved in the high-profile Ripple lawsuit.

The lawsuit, which alleged that Ripple raised over $1.3 billion by selling unregistered securities in the form of XRP digital tokens, is still ongoing. Clayton's experience at the SEC and as DNI would give him a national security and regulatory focus in AI policy, something that has been lacking in previous administrations.

The White House has not officially confirmed the appointment, but sources indicate that Trump is looking for someone with experience in markets, law enforcement, and national security. This marks a shift from previous appointments, such as David Sacks, who came from the startup ecosystem.