President Donald Trump met with leading figures in the AI sector this week and announced that the U.S. government is no longer calling it artificial intelligence – now it’s _super intelligence_.
At the meeting, industry executives, including Kirsten Korosec, Sean O’Kane, and I, signed a document called the “Joint Commitment on Frontier Responsibilities.” However, skepticism about its effectiveness hung in the air. Sean O’Kane noted that the pact is “deeply non-binding” legally, which raises doubts about its ability to drive real change. In contrast, Trump described it as “morally binding,” raising questions about accountability.
Korosec suggested the meeting’s real purpose may have been “a rebranding effort around AI” – a move that continued with Trump’s announcement of a new Super Intelligence Force. Her read on the core message: “AI is going to kill us, it’s scary, it is going to take jobs – but super intelligence is not.” The message was clear: while AI brings risks and worries about job displacement, _super intelligence_ is being framed as something more benign or even beneficial. This branding effort aligns with Trump’s announcement of a new Super Intelligence Force, further reinforcing this narrative shift.
The contrast between the risks of AI and the seemingly safer _super intelligence_ prompts an important question: can a self-regulating, non-binding agreement genuinely enhance the safety perception of AI? The stakes are high, as the success of this initiative may depend on its ability to inspire real trust from the public, especially without enforceable regulations.
The shift from AI to _super intelligence_ highlights a significant rebranding effort aimed at reshaping public perception. However, without enforceable regulations, the effectiveness of the “Joint Commitment on Frontier Responsibilities” remains uncertain, particularly given the skepticism surrounding its non-binding nature. The contrast in messaging raises critical concerns about accountability and the genuine ability of the tech industry to address the safety risks associated with its advancements.
