Full Breakdown
Trump’s Executive Order Renames “Artificial Intelligence” as “Super Intelligence”
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 29 2026 President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing every federal department and agency to replace the term “artificial intelligence” (AI) with “Super Intelligence” (SI) in all official, non-statutory communications. The order tasks the assistant to the president for science and technology with drafting a federal definition of SI within 60 days.
Background & Context
Trump’s rebranding follows a series of statements that frame AI as a “new era” technology. After a September 19 Truth Social poll that drew about 66,000 responses, he promoted “Super Intelligence” as a more “elegant and accurate” label, later confirming the choice in a September 22 United Nations General Assembly speech. The administration says the change will shift public perception away from the negative connotations of “artificial” and underscore rapid capabilities. Critics argue the move is symbolic and does not address documented safety concerns.
Timeline
- September 19 2026 – Trump posts a Truth Social poll on AI naming.
- September 22 2026 – UN General Assembly address introduces “Super Intelligence.”
- September 29 2026 – Executive order signed; White House luncheon and industry accord.
- October 1 2026 – News outlets report implementation details.
Data & Statistics
- A Quinnipiac poll released the same day as the order found 71 % of respondents favored stricter AI guardrails.
- The Truth Social poll showed 65 % selected “Super Intelligence” over “Superior Intelligence.”
- Domain-registry data recorded 46,066 new “.si” registrations in September, a surge linked to the announcement.
Official Statements & Responses
The order states that “the term ‘Super Intelligence’ more appropriately captures the promise, potential, and rapidly advancing capabilities of these technologies.” A White House fact sheet adds the change is intended to focus the administration on expanding technological capabilities rather than on “catastrophic risks.”
Criticism & Opposition
AI safety advocates argue the renaming does not mitigate documented risks of frontier models. The rebrand also raises practical concerns for cross-border regulatory alignment; statutes governing export controls, procurement, and defense still reference “artificial intelligence,” creating “legal friction” that may require congressional action.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The name has been officially changed by the biggest, the smartest, the greatest people anywhere in the world at this,” — Donald Trump, president
- “Super intelligence is clearly not coming from the White House,” — California Gov. Gavin Newsom
- “The solution to some of the AI risks is for you guys to take the risk seriously, not to come to the government for a regulatory regime that may make things worse if it’s not smart and careful,” — Vance, vice president