During a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, President Trump announced that all U.S. government documents will start referring to artificial intelligence as "super intelligence."
He stated, "The United States completely rejects any efforts to establish a global framework aimed at controlling what is currently being referred to as artificial intelligence, which from now on will be called super intelligence." He emphasized the need for this terminology change, arguing that the term "artificial" undermines the genuine capabilities of the technology. "The use of the word artificial makes intelligence sound fake," Trump pointed out. "It is not fake; it’s extraordinary. However, we must approach it with caution. In fact, it’s the opposite of what the term suggests."
Going forward, Trump expressed his hope that not only U.S. documentation but also international usage of the term would transition to "super intelligence" for greater accuracy. "In other words, we are entering a new era of super intelligence — SI," he declared. "Let’s see how that resonates. It sounds far better, it truly is better, and it’s undoubtedly more precise."
Super intelligence is defined as a type of AI that surpasses human intelligence, representing both a goal for numerous advanced AI companies and a significant concern among those warning about its potential risks to humanity.
Trump's comments come against a backdrop of rising anxiety about AI advancements, particularly after a former researcher from Anthropic raised alarms about the technology's potential to threaten human existence. This has spurred ongoing discussions in Washington regarding the need for regulation, with Trump advocating for fewer restrictions in order to ensure that the U.S. maintains a competitive edge over China in the evolving AI landscape.
AI is expected to be a prominent topic not only at the UN General Assembly this week but also during the upcoming state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington for discussions with Trump.
