Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Trump, Newsom Split Over What To Call Artificial Intelligence
The United States now has two names for the same technology.
President Donald Trump wants the federal government to say “superintelligence.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom wants California agencies to keep saying “artificial intelligence” or “AI.”
Newsom also criticized the federal government for not doing enough about AI safety.
He said changing the name should not distract from real risks.
California also approved measures about AI and workplace decisions.
Several technology leaders signed an agreement supporting the term “superintelligence.”
This means federal and California officials may use different words when discussing AI.
California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies to continue using “artificial intelligence” or “AI.”
President Donald Trump directed the federal government to use “superintelligence” instead of “artificial intelligence.”
Trump said the technology is not truly artificial, while Newsom criticized the terminology change.
The dispute followed a White House meeting where technology executives signed the White House Accord on Super Intelligence.
Newsom’s order accompanied California measures addressing AI-related workplace impacts and safety concerns.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and technology executives including Sundar Pichai, Dario Amodei, Mark Zuckerberg, Greg Brockman, and Jensen Huang.
- What
- Trump directed the federal government to use “superintelligence,” while Newsom ordered California agencies to keep using “artificial intelligence” or “AI.”
- When
- Newsom signed his executive order on Wednesday, one day after Trump’s directive; the article was published October 1, 2026.
- Where
- The disagreement concerns the United States, involving the federal government and California state agencies.
- Why
- Trump argued that the technology is not artificial, while Newsom said terminology should not distract from AI safety and workplace risks.
California’s AI Terminology
Federal Superintelligence Terminology
What the technology should be called
California’s AI Terminology
Newsom directed California agencies to retain the established terms “artificial intelligence” and “AI.”
Federal Superintelligence Terminology
Trump directed the federal government to use “superintelligence,” arguing that the technology is not artificial.
Policy priority
California’s AI Terminology
Newsom said more action is needed on AI safety and argued that renaming the technology should not distract from documented risks.
Federal Superintelligence Terminology
The Trump administration’s accord emphasizes monitoring model capabilities and preventing AI systems from carrying out unintended hacks.
Government approach
California’s AI Terminology
California may continue using its terminology even if federal agencies adopt a different name, unless a change is required by law.
Federal Superintelligence Terminology
The federal government is promoting “superintelligence” after Trump’s meeting with technology executives.
- California order
- Newsom directed California agencies and departments under his authority to continue using “artificial intelligence” or “AI.”
- Federal terminology
- Trump directed the federal government to use “superintelligence” for AI.
- White House accord
- Technology executives signed the “White House Accord on Super Intelligence” during a White House meeting.
- Signatories
- The signatories named were Sundar Pichai, Dario Amodei, Mark Zuckerberg, Greg Brockman, and Jensen Huang.
- Safety provisions
- The accord encourages companies to monitor model capabilities and create internal teams to help prevent unintended hacks.
- California workplace measures
- Measures signed alongside the order addressed layoff notices and restrictions on AI use in disciplinary and firing decisions.
- Document typo
- The accord reportedly misspelled “United States” as “Unites States” under Trump’s signature.