US intelligence director Jay Clayton rejected a pause in advanced AI development by American companies. In a CNBC interview on September 30, he also described superintelligence as a national security issue.
Clayton argued that the United States should not leave development to other countries. His alternative to slowing development is for companies to keep working under American oversight.
Asked about Elizabeth Warren's criticism of voluntary self-regulation, Clayton pointed to the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department. He said their leadership was committed to protecting the public. The original report also describes his preference for federal agencies rather than oversight through civil lawsuits.
The conversation took place before Trump announced the Super Intelligence Force on October 4. It explains Clayton's earlier position on AI oversight, but does not provide the task force's later mandate or identify new technical safeguards.