Trump Names Jay Clayton AI Czar While Keeping Intel Role
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton will lead White House AI policy, per WSJ. He retains his intelligence duties.
President Trump has tapped Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to serve as the administration's artificial intelligence czar, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, giving the former SEC chairman a sweeping second mandate atop one of the most consequential technology policy portfolios in Washington.
Clayton, who was confirmed as DNI after Trump nominated him to the post, will now oversee AI policy across the federal government while simultaneously managing the nation's intelligence apparatus — a dual role that signals how tightly the administration intends to link AI development with national security priorities.
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The move positions Clayton as a central figure in shaping how the United States competes with China and other rivals in the global AI race, a contest that policymakers on both sides of the aisle have described as generationally important. His financial regulatory background at the SEC could also inform how the administration approaches AI governance in capital markets and critical infrastructure.
No additional details about the specific scope of Clayton's AI authority, reporting structure, or staffing were included in the initial report. The White House has not yet issued a formal statement confirming the appointment as of the time of publication.
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