What happened
The US administration announced it will ban the terms 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'AI' in relevant federal documents, replacing them with 'Super Intelligence' and 'SI'. This action follows an executive order signed on September 30, titled 'Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence', which directs federal agencies to adopt the new terminology in official communications, websites, and policy documents. The order sets a 60-day deadline for the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology to propose legislative language to Congress for a new statutory definition.
US President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that his administration will officially ban the use of the terms 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'AI' in relevant federal documents. He criticized the continued use of the term by The Wall Street Journal, calling it 'bad and inaccurate,' and advocated for the use of 'Super Intelligence' or 'SI'.
This directive stems from an executive order signed on September 30, titled 'Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence'. The order instructs federal executive departments and agencies to replace 'AI' with 'Super Intelligence' in official communications, public websites, reports, and administrative policy documents to the maximum extent permitted by law.
The executive order clarifies that previously issued regulations, existing government contracts, grants, and historical archival records will not be retroactively altered. The rationale provided is that current technological capabilities have outgrown the original framework, now amplifying human ingenuity and unlocking new forms of creativity in science, medicine, and other domains.
The order sets a 60-day deadline for the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology to submit proposed legislative language to Congress. This legislation would establish an updated federal statutory definition of 'Super Intelligence' and recommend amendments to existing laws.
The move follows a recent White House meeting where Trump hosted technology executives, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, and Jensen Huang, to discuss technological advancement and the safe development of advanced systems.
Why it matters
This policy shift represents a significant change in how the US government officially categorizes and regulates advanced technology. By redefining the terminology, the administration aims to reflect what it describes as the expanded capabilities of frontier systems, moving beyond simple automation to 'amplifying human ingenuity'. This change impacts federal reporting, regulatory frameworks, and public communication, potentially influencing how AI is perceived and governed at the national level. It also signals a strategic alignment with industry leaders who emphasize the transformative nature of these technologies.
The terminology shift is not merely semantic; it signals a strategic repositioning of AI within US federal policy. By adopting 'Super Intelligence,' the administration aligns federal language with the industry's narrative of transformative, rather than merely automative, capabilities.
This change affects all federal operations, including how agencies report on technology, draft policies, and communicate with the public. It may influence how AI is regulated, as the new statutory definition could carry different legal implications than the existing 'AI' framework.
The directive highlights the growing influence of tech industry leaders on government policy. The recent White House meeting with major executives underscores the close collaboration between the administration and the tech sector in shaping the future of advanced technology.
Internationally, this rebranding may complicate diplomatic and regulatory discussions, as other nations and international bodies continue to use the term 'AI'. It could create a divergence in terminology that affects global efforts.
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What to watch next
Monitor the legislative proposals expected within 60 days that will define 'Super Intelligence' in federal law. Watch for how federal agencies implement the terminology change in public-facing documents and whether this shift affects existing contracts or regulatory standards. Additionally, observe the reaction from the tech industry and academic community to this rebranding and its potential impact on international discussions.
The 60-day deadline for the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology to submit legislative language to Congress is a critical near-term milestone. The content of this proposal will determine the legal definition of 'Super Intelligence' and its regulatory scope.
Federal agencies will need to update their public-facing documents, websites, and reports to comply with the new terminology. The speed and consistency of this implementation will be a key indicator of the administration's commitment to the policy.
The reaction from the tech industry, academic community, and civil society groups will be important. Some may view the rebranding as a positive recognition of AI's capabilities, while others may criticize it as a lack of transparency or an attempt to downplay potential risks.
International responses to the US terminology shift will be significant. Other countries and international organizations may need to adjust their own language and policies to maintain alignment with the US, or they may highlight the divergence in their own communications.