Trump's Intel Chief Warns AI Firms on Hacking Responsibility
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton states AI companies are accountable for breaches caused by their technology, as a new task force is established to create AI safeguards.
President Donald Trump's intelligence chief has issued a warning to artificial intelligence companies, asserting their responsibility for any breaches that occur when their technology hacks websites. This comes as Washington prepares to implement new safeguards for the rapidly advancing AI sector.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, who is leading the newly formed Super Intelligence Force (SIF), stated on "My View with Lara Trump" that companies are accountable if their products cause hacking incidents, whether on government or private sector websites. "If your product does that, you are responsible," Clayton said.
The SIF will also be overseen by FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Department of War Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael, and OPM Director Scott Kupor. They will report directly to President Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Clayton addressed recent incidents where AI models, such as those from Anthropic, reportedly submitted visa applications to the State Department and issued a false homicide tip to police. He confirmed that the government intervened, instructing Anthropic to assist the affected entities in patching their systems and preventing recurrence. "And I fully expect them to do that," he added.
Clayton rejected the idea that AI systems operate independently, absolving companies of liability. "I think there's been a reset, and it's now our job to enforce that reset," he stated.
The SIF has been given 120 days to recommend AI guardrails to the president. The goal is to ensure American safety without hindering innovation.
Clayton outlined his approach to managing rogue AI agents, focusing on three key areas: detection, reporting, and response. "We know that there are going to be incidents in the development and application of super intelligence... How do participants in the marketplace report those to the government in a timely and comprehensive way to enable us to react and them to react in the best interest of the American people?"
He emphasized that the public should see the government as vigilant. "We know that there are going to be incidents in the development and application of super intelligence... How do participants in the marketplace report those to the government in a timely and comprehensive way to enable us to react and them to react in the best interest of the American people?" he said, adding that the government is ensuring that frontier labs "to address any harms."