President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to call artificial intelligence “super intelligence,” or SI, in a range of official materials. The terminology is changing faster than the law: for now, SI retains the existing legal definition of AI.
Where the new term applies
The order covers federal agencies’ official correspondence, websites, public statements, reports, policy documents, and other materials that do not have the status of law.
Existing regulations, contracts, and historical documents do not need to be revised. So the change affects how the government describes the technology, not every document that has ever described it.
Why the administration wants the change
The White House argues that advanced systems now go beyond what the term “artificial intelligence” suggests. The order characterizes these technologies as doing more than imitating or automating parts of human intelligence, saying they can also extend human capabilities.
That is the administration’s rationale for adopting SI. The order does not, however, give the new term a different legal meaning at this stage. Under current U.S. law, it remains defined as artificial intelligence.
A possible legal change comes later
The president’s science and technology adviser has 60 days to present proposals for possible changes to legislation and related amendments. Until then, agencies will use the new label in covered materials while the existing legal definition remains in place.