US President Donald Trump has warned that individuals continuing to use the term artificial intelligence (AI) instead of his preferred designation, super intelligence (SI), would be regarded as opponents of the White House, as his administration moves to change how the technology is described in official communications.
In a post on Truth Social on October 8, Trump stated that the White House would consider anyone using the term artificial intelligence rather than super intelligence an enemy.
The statement follows his administration's efforts to replace AI with SI in federal terminology, reflecting Trump's position that the word artificial does not accurately represent the capabilities of the technology.
During his address to the United Nations General Assembly in September, Trump argued that describing intelligence as artificial made the technology sound less credible. He subsequently directed federal agencies to adopt super intelligence in official communications.
On September 29, the administration issued an executive order requiring executive departments and agencies to use the revised terminology when referring to technologies previously classified as artificial intelligence.
The order applies to federal communications and does not impose the same requirement on private companies. Trump's latest statement did not specify any legal penalties or enforcement measures for individuals or organisations continuing to use the established term.
The proposed terminology has also drawn attention because superintelligence already carries a distinct meaning in AI research. It generally refers to a hypothetical form of artificial intelligence that exceeds human capabilities across a broad range of cognitive tasks.
Trump's use of the expression, however, is intended to replace the broader category of AI rather than identify a separate level of technological capability.
The administration has also begun incorporating the terminology into its public communications, although references to artificial intelligence have not been eliminated uniformly across government platforms.
The change comes amid continued debate over AI development, regulation and safety, particularly as technology companies expand the capabilities of advanced models and autonomous systems.
Trump has repeatedly positioned AI development as a strategic priority for the United States, emphasising competition with China and the importance of maintaining American technological leadership.
His administration has also supported an industry-led approach to AI oversight, while engaging technology companies on safety measures and the governance of advanced systems.
The terminology change has received support from some technology executives. Elon Musk indicated that his company's AI-related branding could be revised to incorporate the SI designation.
However, the wider technology industry continues to use artificial intelligence as the standard term for existing systems, products and research.
The development highlights the administration's effort to influence public and institutional language surrounding AI. For technology companies, researchers and policymakers, the practical implications will depend on how federal agencies implement the terminology change and whether its adoption extends beyond government communications.
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