On Saturday, Donald Trump initiated a poll on his social media platform, Truth Social, inviting users to select from three alternative names for "artificial intelligence," which he criticized as "inaccurate and lacking eloquence."
The former president presented three options: Superior Intelligence (SI), Extreme Intelligence (EI), and Supreme Intelligence (SI), urging his followers to choose the most fitting name for what he described as a "growing revolution."
"A more refined and precise label for this emerging phenomenon would be Superior Intelligence (SI), Extreme Intelligence (EI), or Supreme Intelligence (SI)," Trump stated.
This initiative is part of a recurring pattern for Trump, who often uses polls on Truth Social to suggest name changes for media attention.
Back in June 2026, he proposed renaming the agency ICE to NICE. In September, he suggested altering the name of the state of New Mexico and also the Strait of Hormuz. However, none of these suggestions have any automatic legal effect.
The poll was launched merely five days after Trump dismissed warnings about the dangers of artificial intelligence as a "sick conspiracy." This was in response to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's call for a more cautious approach to AI development.
Trump rejected the idea of additional regulations, claiming, "The only oversight or safety mechanism AI needs is a strong and intelligent president (with a high IQ!), and the United States has plenty!"
The discussion around the actual risks of AI technology intensified after a military report generated by artificial intelligence nearly led to a U.S. operation against a Chinese vessel in the Middle East during the spring of 2026, as reported by CNN.
Trump's proposal to rename the technology contrasts with American public opinion. An August 2026 poll by the University of Massachusetts showed that 57% of citizens believe Trump has mishandled AI, compared to only 23% who approve of his management in this area.
Simultaneously, a Politico survey this month indicated that 63% of Americans think AI could potentially destroy humanity someday, and 48% support slowing down the development of more advanced models.
The Trump administration has enacted real institutional changes in the sector: in June 2025, it rebranded the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI) as the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), removing the word "safety" from its name and shifting its mission towards innovation and competitiveness against China.
Understanding Trump's AI Naming Poll
What are the alternative names proposed by Trump for artificial intelligence?
Trump proposed three alternative names: Superior Intelligence (SI), Extreme Intelligence (EI), and Supreme Intelligence (SI).
Why did Trump criticize the current term for artificial intelligence?
Trump criticized the term "artificial intelligence" for being "inaccurate and lacking eloquence," suggesting that his proposed alternatives offer a more refined and precise description.
How has the Trump administration previously altered AI-related institutions?
In June 2025, the Trump administration renamed the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI) to the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), focusing more on innovation and competitiveness rather than safety.