Trump Launches Poll to Rename Artificial Intelligence Amid Growing Concerns

Former President Donald Trump is actively seeking alternative names for artificial intelligence (AI), proposing three options to his supporters on Truth Social: Superior Intelligence, Extreme Intelligence, and Supreme Intelligence. Trump has become a notable defender of AI, asserting that concerns about its potential to "destroy humanity" are overstated and framing criticisms as a "Democrat hoax."

In a lengthy social media post, Trump stated that many believe the term "Artificial Intelligence" is "inaccurate, and very ineloquent." He suggested the proposed alternatives offer a "far more elegant and accurate description of this new phenomena," which he characterized as an "ever growing 'Revolution.'"

As of Saturday night, "Superior Intelligence" was leading the poll with 41 percent of over 50,000 votes, followed by "Extreme Intelligence" with 38 percent and "Supreme Intelligence" with 21 percent.

Trump's push to rebrand AI comes as he announced the formation of an "AI Force" to monitor the technology, drawing a comparison to the creation of Space Force. He vowed to "cherish it, help it, and watch over it, as it grows!" while also stating that his administration would "also be looking for BAD" actors using existing justice systems. He indicated a desire to appoint an "AI Czar" to oversee AI development, emphasizing the need for "high IQ" individuals for the role and calling AI the "next Industrial Revolution." He also expressed a determination to maintain U.S. leadership over China in the field.

Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, with AI development expected to be a key topic of discussion. Both nations are engaged in a race to establish dominance in AI, viewing it as crucial for economic strength.

The former president's stance on AI contrasts with recent reports highlighting potential risks. A recent CNN report detailed an incident where an AI-generated intelligence report nearly led the U.S. military to intercept a Chinese vessel, mistakenly identifying its cargo as components for a nuclear weapons program. This error, if acted upon, could have potentially triggered a conflict between the two superpowers. The AI report was later found to be "entirely false."

Concerns about AI's rapid advancement have also been voiced by former employees of major AI companies. Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at Anthropic, resigned, citing concerns that companies like his and OpenAI were "racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives." The CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, has acknowledged the need for caution, warning that AI agents could take over the internet within a year without proper safeguards.

Simultaneously, the proliferation of data centers, essential infrastructure for AI, has drawn criticism. While proponents highlight their role in advancing technology and creating jobs, critics point to the significant environmental impact of these massive facilities, drawing parallels that Trump himself echoed in his recent social media posts regarding environmental concerns related to data centers and climate change.