California Governor Newsom Rejects Trump's 'Super Intelligence' Terminology for AI

California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a clear stance against former US President Donald Trump's decision to rebrand artificial intelligence as 'Super Intelligence.' Newsom issued an executive order on Thursday, instructing state agencies to continue using the established terms 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'AI.' He announced this move on X, humorously stating that he had 'permanently' declared the technology 'Artificial Intelligence' within California, adding, 'You’re welcome, America.'

DThe executive order, dated September 30, 2024, explicitly directs all agencies and departments under the governor's jurisdiction in California to refer to artificial intelligence and AI by their conventional names. This directive stands 'notwithstanding any rebranded or different terminology used by the federal government, unless inconsistent with the law.' This action by Newsom appears to be a satirical counter to Trump's recent move to replace 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'AI' with 'Super Intelligence' and 'SI' in all US federal government communications.

Trump had made this terminology change public during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 22. He justified the alteration by stating that the word 'artificial' made intelligence sound inauthentic. Trump declared, 'The United States also totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control for the artificial intelligence being spoken of so much now, hereinafter officially called Super Intelligence, changing the name.' He further added that all US government documents would subsequently use 'Super Intelligence,' abbreviated as 'SI.'

In his California order, Governor Newsom subtly criticised the utility of merely changing terminology. He remarked that 'purporting to change something’s name cannot distract a person of normal intelligence from recognising' the failure to tackle the growing safety and security concerns associated with AI. The order reiterates, 'All agencies and departments subject to my authority shall refer to Artificial Intelligence and AI as ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘AI,’ notwithstanding any rebranded or different terminology used by the federal government, unless inconsistent with the law.'

Newsom also highlighted California's significant contributions to AI development, asserting that the state 'dominates Artificial Intelligence innovation' while simultaneously implementing measures to enhance AI safety, security, and consumer privacy. This move by the governor comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding the regulation of this technology and the appropriate balance governments should strike between fostering innovation, ensuring safety, and providing oversight.

Trump's decision to rename AI followed a social media poll where he solicited alternative names from his followers, including 'Superior Intelligence,' 'Extreme Intelligence,' and 'Supreme Intelligence,' ultimately settling on 'Super Intelligence.' Reports indicate that the Trump administration has since taken steps to formalise this terminology change through an executive order compelling federal agencies to adopt 'Super Intelligence' and 'SI' in official communications. However, Newsom's order firmly establishes that California agencies under his authority will continue to use the traditional terms, thereby creating a distinct terminological divergence between the federal government and California.