Personnel within the US Justice Department have been instructed to use the term “super intelligence” instead of artificial intelligence in all official correspondence. This mandate applies to Washington-based activities as well as relevant court documentation.
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter released the memorandum in the wake of a September directive from Trump. Where federal law allows, the guideline mandates the use of “super intelligence” and the acronym “SI” in place of AI.
This new terminology will appear in the Justice Department’s public announcements, policy papers, official records, and additional communications, with the memo noting that court filings may also incorporate the language when suitable.
Executive Order 14434, signed by Trump on September 29, instructs all federal agencies to transition to “Super Intelligence” and “SI.” The mandate dictates that these designations supplant “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI” throughout executive branch documentation.
According to the White House, the updated phrasing mirrors the growing potential of sophisticated systems built by domestic firms. Additionally, the decree grants federal authorities a 60-day window to draft an official definition.
Ultimately, this description may alter how federal legislation references the technology throughout government bodies. For now, the decree considers “Super Intelligence” to encompass the innovations already governed by federal AI law.
This pivot in language arrives amid mounting public anxiety surrounding artificial intelligence following multiple cyberattacks. Heightened safety worries have likewise amplified the demand for governments to mitigate the dangers associated with advanced platforms.
While resisting comprehensive tech regulations, Trump has kept the door open for the Justice Department to intervene if authorities spot severe hazards. Instead, the administration has prioritized technological prowess and American dominance.
By implementing the DOJ directive, one of the capital’s premier legal bodies is putting the federal terminology overhaul into practice. Incorporating the phrasing into legal briefs may also introduce the unconventional phrasing to courtrooms.
Existing regulations, agreements, grants, and past records are exempt from being rewritten under the wider policy. Instead, government departments will adopt the updated vocabulary primarily for upcoming official paperwork.
This shift has the potential to make “super intelligence” a standard fixture in government messaging and federal policy debates. Nonetheless, the vocabulary shift functions chiefly as a mandate for the federal government rather than a sweeping linguistic change for private industry.
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