NASA is updating its websites, publications, and internal systems to use 'super intelligence' instead of 'AI' in compliance with a September 29 executive order.
Key facts
- •President Trump signed the "Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence" executive order on September 29.
- •NASA's internal implementation schedule for the terminology change extends into December.
- •The new terminology applies to all NASA centers, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California.
- •NASA personnel are instructed not to use transitional phrases like "SI, also/formerly known as AI."
- •NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attended a White House luncheon with AI executives on September 29.
- •The executive order retains the existing federal definition of artificial intelligence despite the name change.
NASA has begun replacing references to artificial intelligence with "super intelligence" across its websites, publications, and digital infrastructure. This shift follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on September 29, which directs federal agencies to adopt the new terminology in all official communications. An internal NASA document outlines a four-phase implementation schedule extending into December, with at least one technical update described as a "breaking change" that may disrupt existing software integrations.
Executive Order Details
The executive order, titled "Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence," mandates that federal agencies replace "artificial intelligence" and "AI" with "super intelligence" and "SI" in all official government communications. The White House argues that the new language better reflects the technology's emerging capabilities, although the order retains the existing federal definition of AI, which covers machine-based learning systems capable of making predictions, recommendations, or decisions.
Internal Implementation and Pressure
NASA's Office of Communications and Office of the Chief Information Officer distributed an internal schedule requiring the use of "super intelligence" and "SI" in all new presentations, exhibits, printed materials, and media interviews. The policy applies to internal communications, style guides, and IT systems, with instructions explicitly forbidding transitional phrases that acknowledge the previous terminology. One NASA employee told Space.com that the agency is "getting a lot of pressure from the administrator himself to act on this."
Administrator's Role and Background
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, appointed in December 2025, has been a champion of the administration's agenda. Isaacman, a former tech billionaire who founded Shift4 Payments, attended a White House luncheon with AI executives on the same day the executive order was signed. During a press conference on October 1, he stated that "potential super intelligence has … [can] change the course of civilizations," while noting he is "the space guy here [not an 'AI' guy]."
Timeline
- December 2025Jared Isaacman was appointed as NASA Administrator.
- August 30President Trump made an unexpected phone call to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman during a press conference for the Roman Space Telescope launch.
- September 29President Trump signed the "Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence" executive order.
- October 1NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman used the term "super intelligence" during a post-launch press conference for the SpaceX Crew-13 mission.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Space.com.
