Trump likely to pick Jay Clayton for AI czar, sources say

October 1, 2026 / 9:07 PM EDT / CBS News

Trump likely to pick Jay Clayton for AI czar, sources say

TL;DR

  • Jay Clayton is the likely White House candidate for AI czar.
  • Discussions are underway for Clayton to potentially remain as director of national intelligence.
  • President Trump is expected to make the final decision shortly.
  • Trump previously announced plans to name an AI czar to address AI risks and potential.
  • AI leaders met at the White House to sign voluntary safety standards.
  • Clayton, a lawyer, previously served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and led the SEC.
  • David Sacks previously served as cryptocurrency and AI czar but stepped down.
  • Clayton's potential role comes amid discussions on AI regulation.
  • Some AI leaders back "pacing the frontier" of AI development, while others caution against overblown threats.
  • Trump is skeptical of tighter AI regulations, emphasizing economic benefits and China's AI development.
  • AI executives committed to internal controls and external audits for AI models.
  • Trump described the agreement with AI executives as "morally binding" and "tremendous self-policing."