Trump floats Jay Clayton as AI czar as he looks to fill the position in days

President Trump on Tuesday told Axios Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton would be a good AI czar. Why it matters: Trump is actively looking to fill the position as calls for government intervention on AI intensify. Driving the news: As the director of national intelligence, Clayton is the president's principle intelligence adviser that sits atop the 18-agency intelligence community. During his July confirmation hearing, Clayton said that, similarly to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's approach, for the intelligence community "it resonates that AI is not only an opportunity but a threat." "When something's both an opportunity and a threat, you better get your arms around it," Clayton said. Asked who he wants to be AI czar, Trump said: "I have somebody in mind." Clayton is "a good man. He's right here. That's a good idea," Trump added when prompted. The precise duties of the czar have yet to be spelled out, although Trump earlier said he wants to create the AI Force, a new government agency. Trump told reporters outside the White House he wants to pick someone in the next three or four days. Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and AI executives met today to discuss balancing AI innovation and safety and encourage compoanies to regulate themselves and each other. Catch up quick: Silicon Valley players and venture capitalist David Sacks, who also attended Tuesday's meeting, previously held the AI czar role. Sacks left that post in March after his special government employee status ran out but continued to exert influence from an outside advisory role.

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