President Trump has mandated that U.S. federal agencies replace the term 'Artificial Intelligence' with 'Super Intelligence' in all official communications and documents.
Key facts
- •The executive order prohibits the executive branch from acknowledging the terms 'Artificial Intelligence' or 'AI' in official settings.
- •The term 'Artificial Intelligence' was established by computer scientist John McCarthy in 1956.
- •President Trump announced the change at the United Nations General Assembly following a three-day social media poll.
- •Experts argue that current AI technology is distinct from the theoretical concept of superintelligence.
- •The mandate requires all federal government websites and policy documents to be updated to reflect the new terminology.
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order requiring the federal government to adopt the term 'Super Intelligence' (SI) in place of 'Artificial Intelligence' (AI). The order mandates that all government websites, official correspondence, and policy documents reflect this terminology change. Trump argues that the new name more accurately describes the transformative capabilities of modern technology, which he claims go beyond mere imitation or automation.
By the numbers
Rationale Behind the Rebranding
In his executive order, President Trump stated that current frontier systems amplify human ingenuity and unlock new forms of creativity. He characterized the shift as a necessary step to reflect the limitless opportunities created by these technologies. The president previously polled his social media followers on Truth Social, where 'Super Intelligence' was selected over 'Superior Intelligence' by a margin of approximately 65% to 35%.
Expert and Academic Response
The term 'Artificial Intelligence' has been in use since it was coined at a 1956 Dartmouth College workshop. Academics and computer scientists have expressed skepticism regarding the new terminology. Pedro Domingos, a professor at the University of Washington, noted that current models do not meet the technical definition of superintelligence, which refers to systems that outperform humans across all domains. Critics warn that the new name may exacerbate public fears regarding job displacement and human obsolescence.
Timeline
- 1956The term 'Artificial Intelligence' was coined at a summer workshop at Dartmouth College.
- JunePresident Trump issued an executive order focused on promoting AI innovation and security.
- Last weekPresident Trump announced the federal name change at the United Nations General Assembly.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Register, Deutsche Welle Business.
