White House forms 'superintelligence' working group with 120-day AI report mandate

On October 3, The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House has established a "superintelligence" task force, naming Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead it; he effectively serves as Trump's top coordinator on AI matters. According to the report, the group must deliver a report within 120 days on the risks and opportunities of AI and recommend where the boundaries of federal responsibility should lie. Clayton said that if the United States falls behind other countries in AI, known and potential risks would be exacerbated. The task force's work may continue after the report is completed, or be handed off to the relevant government agencies for execution.

Its membership reflects the weight the White House gives the issue. Vice President Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Bessent, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Walters are all listed. The task force has three vice chairs with distinct portfolios, respectively handling engagement with AI companies, critical infrastructure operators and consumer rights matters. Among them, Army Under Secretary for Research and Engineering Emil Michael is named in the portion of the report available, though the excerpt cuts off before his specific role is spelled out.

In its October 4 coverage, the Chinese financial outlet Wallstreetcn described the move as defining the US government's role in AI regulation and as a substantive step by the Trump administration in AI governance. So far, the publicly available information stops at the task force having been created, its head and members named, and the 120-day deadline set; the report itself has not yet been submitted.