US Justice Department Orders Staff to Replace AI With Super Intelligence Under Trump Executive Order

US Justice Department Mandates Super Intelligence Terminology

The US Justice Department has directed its employees to replace artificial intelligence with super intelligence in official communications, policy documents, and court filings. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter issued the memo on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, instructing DOJ staff to use 'super intelligence' and 'SI' instead of AI 'to the maximum extent permitted by law.'1

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The directive covers public communications, policy documents, and other official records, and 'shall extend to court filings when appropriate,' according to the memo.1

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Trump Order Drives Federal Agencies Policy Change

The terminology shift stems from President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14434, signed on September 29, which mandates federal agencies adopt 'Super Intelligence' and 'SI' across executive branch materials.3

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Trump said the new wording would more accurately reflect the potential of rapidly advancing technology developed by American companies.2

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The executive order gives federal officials 60 days to propose a formal definition of super intelligence, which could eventually reshape how federal laws refer to the technology across government agencies.3

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Why This Terminology Matters for AI Governance

The shift from artificial intelligence to super intelligence represents more than semantic wordplay. It signals how the administration frames the technology's capabilities and potential risks. Public perception of artificial intelligence has soured following hacking incidents that raised questions about AI safety.1

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By emphasizing 'super intelligence,' the administration appears to acknowledge the technology's expanding capabilities while positioning American leadership at the forefront. The White House stated the wording reflects the expanding capabilities of advanced technology, though public concerns around safety continue to mount.3

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Implementation Across Federal Operations

The DOJ directive gives the policy change a practical test inside one of Washington's largest legal institutions. Its application in court documents could introduce the unusual terminology into legal proceedings, potentially influencing how judges, lawyers, and the public discuss the technology.3

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The broader policy does not require agencies to rewrite existing regulations, contracts, grants, or historical documents. Federal departments will apply the new language mainly across future official materials.3

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Trump's Approach to AI Regulation

Trump has resisted new regulations for the technology but maintained that the Justice Department would rein it in if necessary.1

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The administration has placed stronger emphasis on technological capability and American leadership rather than imposing broader technology regulations, while leaving room for Justice Department action when officials identify serious risks.3

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This approach suggests the government is walking a tightrope between promoting innovation and addressing mounting public concerns about safety and security.

What to Watch Next

The 60-day timeline for proposing a formal definition of super intelligence will prove critical. How federal officials define the term could determine whether it becomes a meaningful distinction or merely administrative rebranding. The terminology remains primarily a federal government requirement rather than an industry-wide language change, but its adoption in court filings and official communications could gradually influence broader discourse.3

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As federal agencies implement the directive, observers should monitor whether the shift affects how policymakers approach AI governance, safety standards, and regulatory frameworks in the months ahead.