Trump Taps Former SEC Chair Jay Clayton for New AI Task Force Role
The White House has appointed Jay Clayton as the leader of a new task force focused on artificial intelligence, expanding his role to coordinate U.S. AI policy while retaining his position as Director of National Intelligence.
Clayton's transition from securities regulation to AI policy reflects how Washington increasingly treats advanced technology as a national security issue.
The task force, known as the 'Super Intelligence Force,' has been given 120 days to prepare its findings on AI-related risks and opportunities. Its mandate comes as the Trump administration attempts to balance two competing priorities: limiting potentially dangerous uses of AI while avoiding regulations that could slow U.S. technological development.
Clayton's appointment revives memories of his tenure as Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, including the landmark lawsuit against Ripple over XRP, which he filed in 2020 under his leadership at the SEC.