US Justice Dept tells staff to call AI 'super intelligence' under Trump order


FILE PHOTO: "AI Artificial Intelligence" words, a keyboard and a robotics hand in this illustration taken, September 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

WASHINGTON, ⁠Oct 6 (Reuters) - The US Justice Department ⁠directed its employees on Tuesday to use ‌the words "super intelligence" instead of "artificial intelligence" when referring to the technology in most circumstances, including in court, ​according to a memo seen ⁠by Reuters.

• The directive ⁠from acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter follows ⁠US ‌President Donald Trump's executive order last week mandating the switch within ⁠federal agencies, which Trump said would more ​accurately reflect ‌the potential of the rapidly advancing ⁠technology.

• DOJ ​employees are to use the words "super intelligence" and "SI" in place of AI "to the maximum extent ⁠permitted by law" in public ​communications, policy documents and other official records, according to the memo. The directive "shall extend to court ⁠filings when appropriate," the memo says.

• Public perception of artificial intelligence has soured in the wake of hacking incidents that have ​raised questions about safety.

• Trump ⁠has resisted new regulations for the technology ​but has said the Justice ‌Department would rein it ​in if necessary.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Andy Sullivan and David Gregorio)

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