Trump Should Name Jay Clayton as New 'AI Czar' – A Strategy of Control Without Regulation

President Donald Trump has indicated on Truth Social his intention to create an "AI Force," modeled after the Space Force, to oversee the artificial intelligence sector without introducing new regulations that, in his view, would slow down innovation. This initiative, announced on October 3, 2026, fits into a series of measures aimed at structuring a rapidly expanding technological market while maintaining a light governance approach.

Trump Plans to Create an "AI Force" Inspired by Space Force

The "AI Force" project has been presented as a dedicated mechanism for monitoring and overseeing artificial intelligence without relying on restrictive regulatory frameworks. According to CoinTelegraph's report, Trump emphasized that the mechanism should "manage the booming AI sector without adding regulations that could hinder innovation." This ambition reflects the goal of positioning the United States at the forefront of technology while avoiding bureaucratic hurdles.

The same article indicates that the creation of this force will be officially announced during an upcoming White House meeting, where tech leaders would be invited to sign a commitment to "self-policing." This approach is based on the belief that private actors, when self-regulating, can mitigate risks without overburdening the legal framework.

Jay Clayton Eyed as New 'AI Czar' and Intelligence Director

Unverified sources, reported by CNN and relayed by CoinTelegraph, suggest that President Trump is considering appointing Jay Clayton, the current national intelligence director, as "AI Czar." Clayton, who led the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during Trump's first term, would be tasked with overseeing AI innovation while retaining his role as intelligence director.

The same report specifies that the Senate confirmed Clayton in July to lead the intelligence community, granting him strong institutional legitimacy. According to CBS News, the president has already floated Clayton as his preferred candidate, though the White House has stated that any official announcement will come directly from the president.

Expanded Role: Oversight of AI Innovation and Tech Giants' Self-Regulation

Clayton's future mandate would include overseeing AI innovation and establishing a framework for self-regulation for tech company CEOs. CoinTelegraph reports that the president gathered, on Tuesday, AI and technology leaders at the White House to sign a commitment to "self-police" their AI models and developments. This signing marks a key step in the administration's proposed voluntary governance strategy.

In addition to technical oversight, Clayton would be responsible for coordinating responses to public alerts on AI dangers, a recurring theme since several experts have issued warnings. The text indicates that the role could extend to managing risks related to the rapid evolution of AI systems, a topic that has recently fueled public debate.

Reactions from AI Leaders: Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceX, and Nvidia

Anthropic, led by CEO Dario Amodei, presented a three-step proposal aimed at slowing down the pace of AI development to prevent systems from exceeding our understanding and control capabilities. According to CoinTelegraph, Anthropic chose Accenture as an integrated evaluator to moderate development, marking the first implementation of the initial phase of Amodei's plan.

OpenAI, represented by CEO Sam Altman, as well as SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, reacted positively to Amodei's proposal, expressing support for soft regulation. Conversely, Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang contested the need for such regulation, arguing that the market could self-regulate. These contrasting positions highlight the diversity of viewpoints within the industry regarding the best way to manage the rapid expansion of AI.

Clayton's Background: SEC, Justice, and Confirmation to Intelligence Role

Jay Clayton served as SEC director during Trump's first term, overseeing the regulation of financial markets. Before that, he was acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, enhancing his legal expertise and federal institutional connections.

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Clayton described artificial intelligence as a "game-changer," emphasizing that it represents "not only an opportunity but also a threat." This statement, relayed by CNN, underscores the legislative recognition of the strategic and security challenges linked to AI.

The Senate confirmed Clayton in July, formalizing his role as head of the intelligence community. This confirmation provides Trump's administration with an experienced interlocutor capable of balancing national security requirements with technological innovation dynamics.

The Precedent of 'Crypto Czar' David Sacks and the 130-Day Constraint

Before Clayton's potential nomination, the Trump government had already created the position of "Crypto Czar," held by David Sacks, a venture capitalist turned special government official. According to CoinTelegraph, Sacks completed his 130-day mandate, the maximum allowed in the U.S. for government special employees over a 12-month period.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Sacks declared that "we've now exhausted this time," confirming the end of his role. This reference to the 130-day limit highlights the administrative constraint governing temporary coordination functions for technology within the executive branch.

Implications for U.S. AI Regulation

The potential nomination of Jay Clayton as "AI Czar" and the establishment of an "AI Force" could redefine the governance framework for artificial intelligence in the United States. By combining oversight of intelligence, voluntary regulation of private actors, and innovation monitoring, the project aims to balance national security and economic dynamism.

For market observers, Trump's decision to avoid imposing binding regulations while strengthening surveillance could influence the valuations of technology companies listed on the S&P 500. The trajectory of this initiative will be closely followed, as it could serve as a model or counterexample for other jurisdictions seeking to regulate AI.