Donald Trump is attempting to rename artificial intelligence (AI), proposing that it be referred to as "super intelligence" or "superior intelligence." This initiative, aimed at changing how the technology is described in official U.S. government documents, has faced a significant backlash on social media.
On Monday, Trump solicited opinions from his followers on Truth Social regarding the name change. The following day, during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, he declared that U.S. government documents would henceforth use the term "super intelligence." Trump expressed a desire to "not stifle growth" of the technology, which he believes will be more impactful than the industrial revolution, and argued that "super" is a more accurate descriptor than "artificial."
The move was met with widespread derision online. Critics pointed to the renaming effort as a superficial approach to a complex issue. One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented that "renaming s**t seems to be all this administration can do." Another user in the intelligence field noted that "SI" already stands for "special intelligence," typically referring to communication intercepts, which could create confusion.
Others satirized the decision, with one X user comparing it to a fictional movie plot and another suggesting the administration views complex technological challenges as mere branding problems. The online reaction indicates a significant disconnect between Trump's proposal and public perception, with many viewing the renaming effort as misguided or nonsensical.