Trump's AI name change sparks industry compliance
Anthropic + Google + Meta + Nvidia + OpenAI + xAISource: Wired - AI, TechCrunch - AI, TechCrunch - AI02/10/2026, 17:22
In 2026, President Donald Trump issued an executive order renaming artificial intelligence as 'Super Intelligence,' prompting major tech leaders to comply. The directive, announced during a White House meeting with top AI executives, aimed to replace the term 'artificial intelligence' with 'Super Intelligence.' Industry leaders including Jeff Bezos, Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk did not publicly oppose the move. Jacob Weisberg, author of 'Profiles in Cowardice,' viewed the event as a loyalty test for Trump, highlighting the lack of resistance from tech executives. The term 'artificial intelligence' remains widely used, with over 7.4 million scholarly references. Critics, including philosopher Nick Bostrom, argue the renaming lacks scientific rationale, noting that 'superintelligence' refers to systems surpassing human intelligence, while 'AI' encompasses a broader range of technologies. The move has raised concerns about the lack of regulatory oversight and the potential for corporate compliance over ethical considerations.
The White House's push for renaming has been met with skepticism, as the term 'artificial intelligence' is deeply embedded in both academic and commercial contexts. While some executives may have welcomed the rebranding, the term 'super intelligence' is perceived as more alarming. Companies like Meta and Google have not yet announced changes to their branding or communications. The decision has sparked debates about the role of corporate self-regulation and the influence of political figures on technological terminology. As the tech industry navigates this shift, questions remain about the long-term implications of such a rebranding effort.