Trump is expected to name intelligence director Jay Clayton as AI czar

President Donald Trump is set to appoint Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead White House artificial intelligence efforts, according to an individual familiar with the matter reported by NBC News. The formal declaration is expected on social media as early as Friday, following public hints from the president earlier in the week.

Clayton, who supervises the nation's intelligence community, is slated to handle the new AI coordinator duties in addition to his current cabinet-level intelligence post. The decision follows an extensive gathering at the White House on Tuesday between the administration and leaders from major technology firms, an event Clayton attended.

Asked about the upcoming appointment, an administration spokesperson emphasized that personnel choices would be shared directly by the president and dismissed advance reports as speculative.

During an interview on CNBC following Tuesday's session, Clayton said the administration plans to implement a coordinated strategy across federal agencies to manage the evolving sector. He framed artificial intelligence under the label of superintelligence, describing it as a fundamental matter of national defense and noting broad agreement on that point among both government officials and tech industry executives.

The AI portfolio was previously managed by David Sacks, who served as special adviser focusing on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency from January 2025 until March, before transitioning to co-chair the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

The planned appointment emerges amid heightened debate regarding the risks of rapid AI expansion, fueled by cautions from workers within prominent artificial intelligence firms about potential dangers to society. Trump has largely downplayed the necessity of stringent oversight, pointing instead to internal industry controls. Speaking to reporters, the president praised tech firms for self-regulation, arguing that outside management of intricate computer models is challenging and expressing confidence that abuses could be caught if self-policing falls short.

Clayton brings a varied legal and regulatory background to the expanded responsibilities. Confirmed by the Senate to head the intelligence community in August, he previously worked as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. During Trump’s first term in office, Clayton led the Securities and Exchange Commission, and prior to his federal service, he spent years as a partner at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell.