Donald Trump to appoint Jay Clayton as artificial intelligence czar

President Donald Trump is expected to appoint Jay Clayton, the United States director of national intelligence, as his new artificial intelligence czar, CNBC, Al Jazeera, and the New York Times reported. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Clayton will lead the administration's artificial intelligence policy. Clayton will oversee the innovation and development of artificial intelligence alongside tech chief executive officers who self police. [1][2][3][5][6][7][8]

Under the new mandate, Clayton is set to lead an artificial intelligence task force and deliver a report within 120 days, according to Investing.com citing The Wall Street Journal. Cointelegraph reported that Trump posted on Truth Social that the new initiative will manage the fast-growing artificial intelligence sector without creating added regulations that could slow down innovation. [2][3]

Clayton currently serves as the ninth director of national intelligence. He previously served as the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2025 to 2026 and as the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020. [9]