US diplomats instructed to replace “artificial intelligence” with “super intelligence” in official communications

77 outlets49m agoImportance 9/10

President Trump told the United Nations that the United States will refer to the technology as “super intelligence” rather than “artificial intelligence.” Within hours, the State Department’s Bureau of International Organization Affairs circulated an internal email, signed by Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Drager, directing its diplomatic staff to substitute every instance of “Artificial Intelligence” with “Super Intelligence” and to use the abbreviation “SI” in remarks, documents and press releases.

The memo applies to the bureau’s work with the United Nations and other multilateral agencies; other State Department divisions were not mentioned. The terminology shift occurs as other world leaders call for international AI safety measures while the United States rejects a global regulatory framework.

How this was covered

Coverage peaked at 11 outlets in a single hour

Why it matters

The change means U.S. diplomats will use a different term when discussing the technology in international forums.

How the sides frame it

MODERATE AGREEMENT

Left-leaning coverage treats Trump’s AI rebranding as a superficial, politically-driven stunt that overstates the technology, while right-leaning coverage portrays it as decisive leadership that correctly frames AI’s potential and rejects ‘globalist’ regulation; Centrist coverage reports the rename and the debate more neutrally.

LEFT

Trump’s push to rename AI is depicted as a gimmicky, politically-motivated rebranding that misrepresents current technology and draws criticism from experts.

CENTER

The story reports Trump’s announcement to rename AI to “super intelligence” and his rejection of a global regulatory scheme, noting reactions from various leaders and experts.

RIGHT

Trump’s AI rename is presented as strong, accurate leadership that positions the U.S. ahead in the AI race and rightly rejects a “globalist” regulatory push.

The left emphasises

the label overstates what current AI can do
critics warned the move could invite ridicule
Trump’s effort is framed as political posturing

The right emphasises

Trump framed the rename as more accurate and rejected a “globalist scheme”
He highlighted U.S. dominance in the AI race over China
The announcement included the formation of an “AI Force” to safeguard growth

How this story developed

Aug 4 Texas governor pauses new data center approvals pending power grid audit
Sep 12 The House is set to debate the Ratepayer Protection Act, a measure aimed at easing power costs for data centers and appealing to voters concerned about AI-driven utility bills. In the Senate, a crypto market-structure proposal is expected to face a tough vote amid ethics disputes involving Donald Trump, while the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act looks likely to advance with strong backing from donors. Lawmakers are racing to pass these initiatives before a three-week Senate session ends and the midterm elections arrive.
Sep 13 Jon Husted introduced legislation to shield consumers from rising electricity bills linked to data‑center demand.
Sep 15 Senator Bernie Sanders and commentator Steve Bannon will speak together at the Pro-Human Assembly in Washington, urging stricter AI safeguards.
Sep 16 Bannon blamed the president’s inaction on the influence of tech oligarchs.
Sep 16 Jacob Coxon resigned from Anthropic after issuing the warning.
Sep 17 A bipartisan House bill to shift data‑center infrastructure and energy costs to tech firms has been introduced.
Sep 19 In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump said the AI Force will mirror the Space Force and aim to protect the fast-growing AI sector. He promised the initiative will encourage development while using existing laws to curb abuses, and he pledged not to hinder the industry’s growth. The post also claimed AI could become as significant as the Internet, potentially representing a quarter of the U.S. economy, and asserted that the United States currently leads China in the field.
Sep 19 Trump added the AI Force proposal to his agenda.
Sep 20 Huang added a dismissal of AI apocalypse warnings to his earlier focus on AI‑driven cybersecurity growth.
Sep 21 Senator John Fetterman publicly endorsed President Trump’s data‑center push, aligning with the administration despite broad opposition.
Sep 22 Trump announced the creation of an “AI Force” and the selection of an AI czar.
Sep 23 Coverage now omits the previously reported warnings and resignation of Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon.
Sep 24 State Department’s Bureau of International Organization Affairs issued a memo ordering diplomats to use “Super Intelligence” and the acronym “SI” instead of “Artificial Intelligence.”