Full Breakdown
Trump Launches Poll to Rename Artificial Intelligence
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Poll Proposal and Public Engagement
On September 19, 2026, President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to launch an online poll asking whether the term “artificial intelligence” should be replaced. He argued that the familiar label is “inaccurate” and “very ineloquent,” proposing alternatives such as “Superior Intelligence,” “Extreme Intelligence,” and “Supreme Intelligence.” The post invited followers to vote for the name they felt best described the “ever-growing ‘Revolution.’” Within hours, the poll tally recorded over 27,000 participants.
Background & Context: AI Regulation Debate
In recent months, rapid advances in AI capabilities have sparked calls from industry leaders and lawmakers for slower development and stronger oversight. Tech CEOs—including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, and Elon Musk—have publicly urged a pause on further AI progress. At the same time, Republican senators such as Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Jon Husted (R-OH) have introduced measures aimed at data-security safeguards and cost-sharing for AI data-center infrastructure. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has expressed a “middle-ground” view, acknowledging the need for guardrails while emphasizing industry self-regulation.
Data & Statistics
- Poll participation: > 27,000 users had voted by early afternoon on the day of launch.
- Proposed names: “Superior Intelligence,” “Extreme Intelligence,” and “Supreme Intelligence” were the three options presented.
Official Statements & Responses
Senator Hawley convened AI-powered license-plate-reader manufacturers before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism to examine security concerns. Senator Husted introduced legislation to require tech firms to share data-center costs, arguing that unchecked expansion could jeopardize national data security.
Criticism & Opposition
Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei warned that the pace of AI model improvement should be slowed, emphasizing the risk of rapid capability gains. OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Elon Musk have similarly called for a temporary moratorium on large-scale model training, citing uncertainty about societal impacts. Public reaction on platforms such as X/Twitter has been sharply critical, with users accusing the president of diverting attention from pressing economic issues and labeling the poll a “hoax.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We must slow the pace at which we improve the capabilities of AI models,” — Dario Amodei, Anthropic co-founder
- “Many people think that the words ‘Artificial Intelligence’ are inaccurate, and very ineloquent,” — Donald Trump, U.S. president
- “I am forming the AI Force, much like I did Space Force, which has been a tremendous SUCCESS, in my First Term. To that end, I will be announcing, in the near future, the AI 'Czar'.” — Donald Trump, U.S. president
- “ One commented: "It doesn't matter what we call it, it is going to take your power away from you (and probably your life too) if you don't prevent it from getting much much smarter than you.” — Another, social-media commentator
What’s Next
President Trump indicated that an “AI Force” will be created, mirroring the earlier Space Force, and that an “AI Czar” will be appointed in the near future. No specific timeline has been provided, but the announcement is expected to follow the poll’s conclusion.
