Trump mandates 'Super Intelligence' as official US government AI terminology
Executive order replaces 'artificial intelligence' with rebranded term
1Mandated terminology change
President Trump signed an executive order requiring all US government communications to replace 'artificial intelligence' with 'Super Intelligence'. This applies to policy documents, websites, and press releases. The administration seeks to establish this as the statutory definition of AI, with officials expected to avoid previous terms entirely in official contexts.
2Trump's rationale
At the America.gov launch event, Trump explained his preference for 'super', calling it 'the best word of all'. He criticized 'artificial' as inauthentic, comparing it to 'fake news'. The president claimed Chinese leader Xi Jinping approved of the term during recent White House discussions. Trump emphasized the technology's power and brilliance while acknowledging potential misuse risks.
3Implementation details
While existing regulations won't require updates, the change represents a significant semantic shift in government discourse. The term 'superintelligence' typically describes advanced AI systems in tech circles, but the administration is applying it broadly. The order follows Trump's UN speech where he first proposed rebranding AI to address safety concerns about rapid technological advancement.
4Tech CEO involvement
The executive order followed a White House luncheon with tech leaders including Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Elon Musk of Tesla/SpaceX. Trump described discussions as 'very productive', emphasizing industry self-regulation alongside existing DOJ and FBI oversight. The meeting addressed both national policy and local data center development challenges facing tech companies.
5Local impact considerations
Trump suggested tech firms would address community concerns about data center expansion through economic support and resource provision. He predicted data centers would become 'very popular', reflecting administration priorities around infrastructure for AI development. This aligns with broader efforts to position the US competitively in advanced computing capabilities.
6Industry terminology context
'Superintelligence' traditionally refers to hypothetical AI surpassing human cognition - a concept debated by researchers like Nick Bostrom. The administration's blanket application diverges from technical usage, potentially creating confusion in policy discussions. The move comes amid global debates about AI governance frameworks and terminology standardization.
7Political dimensions
The rebranding continues Trump's pattern of redefining technical terms for political messaging, similar to previous engagements with 'fake news' rhetoric. By involving foreign leaders like Xi and framing the change as internationally endorsed, the administration positions the terminology shift as both domestic policy and geopolitical signaling about US tech leadership.
8Implementation challenges
The mandate faces practical hurdles in government agencies accustomed to 'AI' terminology across thousands of documents and systems. Without requiring retroactive changes, the policy may create parallel terminology usage. The long-term impact depends on adoption beyond federal communications into academic, industry, and international contexts where 'AI' remains standard.