Trump Renames AI to 'Super Intelligence' Across US Government
The White House ordered federal agencies to replace AI with Super Intelligence, but the underlying technology has not changed.
Policy · Source: Federal Register
What happened
President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14434 to officially rename artificial intelligence. The federal government will now use the term Super Intelligence, or SI, in all official communications. Trump claims the technology is pure genius and not artificial at all. He argues this terminology shift is necessary to ensure the United States beats China in the global technology race. The order was signed on September 29 and published in the Federal Register days later.
The Justice Department is already enforcing the new language. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter issued a memo ordering staff to replace AI with SI across policy documents and public statements. This directive covers Washington operations and extends to federal court filings. Agencies have exactly 60 days to propose a formal definition for the new term. The policy applies strictly to future materials, leaving historical documents and existing contracts alone.
To drive this initiative, Trump launched the Super Intelligence Force. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton heads the new task force. He is joined by Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael, and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. The group reports directly to Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Alongside this task force, the administration rolled out America.gov, a new SI-powered portal designed to help citizens access federal services.
Key facts
- EO 14434 — The Executive Order signed on September 29 renaming AI to Super Intelligence.
- 60 days — The timeframe given to federal officials to propose a formal definition for the new term.
- Jay Clayton — The Director of National Intelligence appointed to lead the Super Intelligence Force.
Why it matters
Founders selling software to the government need to update their marketing and contract language immediately. If you pitch an artificial intelligence tool to a federal agency today, you are using the wrong vocabulary. You must pitch a Super Intelligence tool. The underlying technology remains exactly the same. General-purpose models that generate text and images have not suddenly achieved superhuman cognition. But speaking the specific language of the buyer is how you win federal contracts. The Justice Department is already testing this terminology shift in legal proceedings, and other agencies will follow suit quickly.
This political rebrand creates a massive collision with established industry terminology. In the tech sector, superintelligence refers to a theoretical system that exceeds human cognition across practically every field. Experts agree that no company has built this yet. Current models are jagged, meaning they excel at certain tasks but fail completely at others. Blurring the lines between basic generative models and actual superintelligence will confuse the public. It will also complicate future efforts to regulate systems that pose catastrophic risks. We are applying a science fiction label to present-day software.
For builders
Update federal contract proposals
Vendors selling software to federal agencies must adopt the SI acronym immediately. Using outdated AI terminology could cost you lucrative government contracts. The Justice Department is already changing its court filings to reflect the new mandate.
Prepare for consumer confusion
Your users might start asking if your product uses AI or SI. You will have to explain that the government simply rebranded existing technology. Builders bear the cost of educating the market when politicians change definitions.
Navigate new legal definitions
Federal officials have 60 days to propose a formal definition for Super Intelligence. This new definition could eventually alter how federal laws govern your technology. Legal and compliance teams must watch this space closely.
My take
A government rebrand is not a technological breakthrough, and calling a basic chatbot Super Intelligence only makes the regulatory landscape messier. We have to play the terminology game to win federal contracts, but we should never believe our own hype. The technology is exactly the same today as it was yesterday.
Original reporting: Federal Register. This is my rewrite and opinion.