Trump to name Jay Clayton as AI czar: media

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to name Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as the White House's new artificial intelligence (AI) czar, U.S. media reported Friday.

Jay Clayton testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on his nomination to be Director of National Intelligence, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Clayton will likely be the White House's pick for AI czar, and the Trump administration has been discussing having him remain in his current role as director of national intelligence, CBS reported on Thursday, citing sources briefed on the matter.

Several other media outlets also reported Friday that Trump is expected to select Clayton. The White House has not officially confirmed the appointment. A White House official told media "any personnel announcement will be announced directly by the president" and that "any reporting until then is baseless speculation."

On Sept. 19, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was forming an "AI Force" and would announce an AI "Czar" in the near future.

Clayton was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as director of National Intelligence in July. He previously served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and as chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.