Trump pushes 'Super Intelligence' branding at UN as AI safety debate intensifies
President Trump is pushing to replace 'artificial intelligence' with 'super intelligence' in official documents, arguing the former term implies fakeness. This push coincides with a new 'AI czar' role, potential US-China AI dialogue, and a UN Security Council debate on AI safety.
Key points
- Trump called for AI to be rebranded as 'super intelligence' at the UN General Assembly, claiming 'artificial' makes the technology seem fake.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is a leading candidate for the new 'AI czar' role, with other names including Michael Kratsios and Sean Cairncross.
- Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng discussed a potential US-China 'notification mechanism' for AI security incidents at the UN.
- OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs are set to address the UN Security Council on AI safety, while Trump has dismissed safety warnings as a 'hoax'.
- OpenAI and Anthropic recently released cheaper AI models, with OpenAI cutting API prices by 50% for its new GPT-6 tiers.
Background
In late September 2026, Trump announced plans for an 'AI Force' and an 'AI czar' to accelerate US AI development, dismissing safety concerns as a hoax. He also rejected global AI oversight, arguing it could slow US innovation or cede ground to China. These moves follow a broader push to frame AI as a national priority, with Trump previously calling Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to urge rapid AI development.
How outlets are covering it
The Independent frames Trump's 'super intelligence' push as a rebranding effort that ignores existing, more sinister definitions of the term. Axios notes the official document changes. Semafor highlights Bessent's potential role as 'AI czar' and his US-China AI dialogue. CNBC emphasizes the tension between Trump's speed-focused approach and the safety concerns raised by OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs at the UN.
Why it matters
The rebranding and new 'AI czar' role signal a shift in US AI policy toward rapid development and national security, potentially influencing global AI governance and US-China tech competition. The UN Security Council debate and US-China dialogue could set the stage for future international AI regulations or conflicts.
What to watch
Watch for the official announcement of the 'AI czar' and the outcome of the US-China AI dialogue. The UN Security Council debate on AI safety will be a key indicator of global regulatory trends. Monitor OpenAI and Anthropic's new model releases for competitive shifts in the AI market.
- Trump wants to redefine AI, but his ‘superintelligence’ already exists — and it has a sinister meaning The Independent
- Trump wants to rebrand AI as "super intelligence" Axios
- Trump is now calling AI ‘superintelligence.’ The term already exists NewsNation
- Exclusive / Bessent eyed for Trump’s ‘AI czar’ Semafor
- CNBC Daily Open: Nothing artificial about 'Super Intelligence' CNBC
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