Trump Orders US Government to Call AI 'Super Intelligence'
"The word super is the best word of all," Trump says.
In a move that underscores the growing political salience of artificial intelligence, President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies to adopt the term "Super Intelligence" when referring to advanced AI systems. The directive, announced via an executive order in early 2026, mandates that all government communications, reports, and public statements use the new terminology.
The order argues that "Super Intelligence" more accurately conveys the transformative potential of AI technologies that surpass human capabilities in most cognitive tasks. "The word super is the best word of all," Trump reportedly said during the signing ceremony. "We're going to call it Super Intelligence, and everyone will know that America leads in Super Intelligence."
The executive order requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to update all federal guidelines and ensure that agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Defense use the term consistently. It also instructs the State Department to promote the phrase in international forums, positioning the US as the global leader in Super Intelligence development.
Critics argue that the rebranding is a distraction from substantive policy challenges, such as AI safety regulations and workforce displacement. "Changing the name doesn't change the risks," said one former AI advisor. "We need robust oversight, not slogans."
Supporters, however, contend that the term better reflects the ambition of US AI research and can help rally public support. The order is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to accelerate AI innovation while reducing regulatory hurdles.
The directive takes effect immediately, with agencies given 90 days to comply. It remains to be seen how the global AI community will respond to this linguistic shift, but for now, the US government's official lexicon has a new entry: Super Intelligence.
via The Verge AI