Trump pushes 'super intelligence' rebrand, clashes with tech safety definitions

Key points

• Trump announced at the UN General Assembly that 'artificial' should be replaced with 'super' in US and global documents, arguing the current term implies the technology is fake.
• The term 'superintelligence' already has a specific technical meaning, defined by philosopher Nick Bostrom as an intellect that greatly exceeds human cognitive performance in all domains.
• Trump claimed Xi Jinping 'seemed to like' the rebranding proposal during a recent state dinner, though the White House did not confirm if the term's existing safety implications were considered.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was ruled out as the new AI czar, with Trump stating Bessent does not want the role and is performing well at Treasury.
• Tech leaders, including Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, have signed a petition for a moratorium on superintelligence development due to existential risks.

Background

This rebranding effort follows earlier reports that Trump was considering Scott Bessent for an AI czar position, a role he has since ruled out. The push to rename AI coincides with ongoing debates in the tech industry about the pace of AI development and the potential dangers of achieving superintelligence.

How outlets are covering it

Axios highlights the semantic clash between Trump's proposed rebrand and the established technical definition of superintelligence, noting that the term is currently associated with existential risks and calls for development pauses. The Washington Post emphasizes the diplomatic angle, focusing on Trump's claim that Xi Jinping agreed to the new terminology during a state dinner. CNBC focuses on the administrative aspect, detailing Trump's decision to keep Bessent at Treasury rather than appointing him as AI czar, while noting Trump's earlier comparison of AI to a new industrial revolution.

Why it matters

The rebranding effort could influence how governments and the public perceive AI capabilities and risks. If 'super intelligence' becomes the standard term, it may shift the conversation from current AI limitations to the existential risks associated with advanced AI, potentially impacting policy and public discourse on AI safety and regulation.

What to watch

Watch for official changes in US government documents and any response from the White House regarding the rebranding. Monitor the tech industry's reaction to the term 'super intelligence' and any potential moratoriums or safety measures proposed by AI leaders.