Trump Directs Agencies to Use ‘Super Intelligence’ Instead of ‘Artificial Intelligence’

President Donald Trump has directed U.S. government agencies to adopt the term “super intelligence” in place of “artificial intelligence,” declaring those who continue to use the latter term “THE ENEMY.” Trump first announced the change in a United Nations speech last month, stating that the word “artificial” makes intelligence seem “fake.” He subsequently issued an executive order mandating the shift, with agencies like the U.S. Center for AI Standards and Innovation (now the Center for Advancing Innovation and Standards for Super Intelligence) and the Justice Department already implementing the change in press releases.

The move has drawn criticism as potentially self-destructive messaging ahead of the midterm elections, with some observers noting it distracts from key voter concerns like the economy. The Washington Examiner reports that Trump’s focus on the name change appears to prioritize personal whims over voter priorities, potentially damaging the Republican brand. The Verge notes that several tech figures, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Jensen Huang, have publicly supported the rebranding, while Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said his company would not change its name.

Trump’s effort to rebrand AI follows a pattern of assigning new labels to concepts he favors or disfavors, similar to his use of terms like “fake news.” He has also begun to increasingly use “artificial” in a derogatory manner, signaling a shift in his vocabulary. The White House considers anyone using “artificial intelligence” to be “THE ENEMY,” Trump stated on Truth Social.

Where they differ

• The Washington Examiner frames the move as harmful to Republican messaging in the lead-up to the midterm elections, emphasizing the potential for voters to perceive the GOP as absurd.
• The Verge focuses on the industry response, highlighting the support from tech figures like Elon Musk and Sam Altman, while also noting the potential difficulty of the linguistic shift.

Background

• President Donald Trump previously directed the establishment of a committee to investigate Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook following allegations of false statements, with a hearing scheduled shortly after the midterm elections [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-09].
• The Trump administration has explored shifting the costs of immigration enforcement, including potential use of military resources for deportations [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-09].
• Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are long-time associates of Donald Trump and are leading efforts to present Ukraine peace proposals [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-08; background knowledge].
• Trump has a documented pattern of assigning new labels to concepts he favors or disfavors, such as his use of the term “fake news” [background knowledge].

Our reading

Our reading is that this rebranding exercise is less about genuine technological advancement and more about asserting control over language and signaling ideological alignment. The declaration of those using “artificial intelligence” as “THE ENEMY” suggests a performative stance prioritizing loyalty and personal preference over pragmatic considerations. The mixed response from tech leaders indicates the rebranding may not achieve widespread adoption, but the administration appears willing to prioritize symbolic victories over industry consensus.

What to watch

• The official terminology used in government press releases and official communications from agencies like the U.S. Center for Advancing Innovation and Standards for Super Intelligence [agency websites].
• Whether Sam Altman and OpenAI maintain their position of not rebranding, and if this creates friction with the administration [OpenAI press releases/statements].
• The results of the midterm elections and whether this move is perceived as damaging to the Republican brand, as suggested by the Washington Examiner [post-election analysis from Washington Examiner].

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