Trump to Name Jay Clayton White House AI Czar

President Trump is expected to appoint Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as the White House artificial intelligence czar following a White House tech summit, pairing national intelligence oversight with federal technology policy. Clayton will take on the AI responsibility alongside his current role, stepping into a portfolio previously managed by tech sector advisers.

"Superintelligence is a national security issue," said Jay Clayton, Director of National Intelligence, in an interview with CNBC regarding the administration's technology policy.

Background and Dual Roles

Clayton's appointment bridges national security leadership with artificial intelligence coordination across federal agencies. Before taking over the DNI role in August following Senate confirmation, according to an NBC News report, Clayton served as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term, and a partner at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell.

In his television interview, Clayton outlined the administration's operational framework for managing emerging technologies. According to the NBC News report, he stated that the administration would take a "whole-of-government approach" to address the economic and strategic implications of advanced computing systems.

Personnel Shifts in White House Tech Policy

The creation of an intelligence-led AI czar role marks a shift from the previous personnel structure under the current administration. David Sacks previously served as special adviser for AI and Crypto from January 2025 through March of this year. Following his departure from that advisory post, Sacks transitioned to serving as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, according to NBC News.

What Is at Stake for Federal AI Oversight

The dual-hatted appointment places the coordination of domestic artificial intelligence policy directly inside the intelligence apparatus. As federal agencies grapple with the security implications of large-scale models and automated systems, uniting the DNI post with White House technology oversight signals a pivot toward treating artificial intelligence governance primarily through a national security lens.