The plot thickens in the AI race: word on the street is that Jay Clayton is the frontrunner to become the Trump administration’s new 'AI czar.' According to sources in the loop, the White House is not only looking to tap Clayton for this new role but is also weighing keeping him on as the Director of National Intelligence at the same time.
President Trump teased the position last month with a social media post that was lowkey iconic, stating, “Only High I.Q. individuals need apply!” This move comes after the heads of the nation's major AI players gathered at the White House on Tuesday to ink some voluntary safety agreements. Shortly after that meeting, the President told reporters he had someone “extraordinary” lined up and that an official announcement would drop within a few days.
For now, the White House is playing it cool. A spokesperson told CBS News that any chatter before the official presidential word is just “baseless speculation.”
Why it matters
As AI becomes more powerful and the risks associated with the tech grow, the government is scrambling to find a way to regulate it without stifling innovation. An AI czar would essentially be the point person for balancing that high-stakes tech policy.
