California gov mocks Trump’s AI renaming with ‘Artificial Intelligence’ order

California Governor Gavin Newsom has mocked US President Donald Trump’s decision to rename artificial intelligence as “Super Intelligence” by issuing an executive order directing state agencies to continue calling it “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI”.

Newsom announced the move in a post on X on Thursday, joking that he had “permanently” declared the technology “Artificial Intelligence” in California.

“I just signed an executive order permanently declaring Artificial Intelligence ‘Artificial Intelligence’ in California. You’re welcome, America,” Newsom wrote.

The executive order, dated September 30, 2024, directs all California agencies and departments under the governor’s authority to refer to artificial intelligence and AI by those terms, “notwithstanding any rebranded or different terminology used by the federal government, unless inconsistent with the law.”

The order appeared to be a satirical response to Trump’s recent decision to replace the terms “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI” with “Super Intelligence” and “SI” in US federal government communications.

Trump announced the terminology change during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 22, saying the word “artificial” made intelligence sound fake.

“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,” Trump said.

He also said US government documents would henceforth use “Super Intelligence”, adding that the abbreviation would be “SI”.

In his California order, Newsom took a swipe at the significance of changing terminology, stating that “purporting to change something’s name cannot distract a person of normal intelligence from recognising” the failure to address what he described as emerging AI safety and security risks.

The order stated, “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 cited California’s role in AI development, saying the state “dominates Artificial Intelligence innovation” while taking measures aimed at strengthening AI safety, security and consumer privacy.

The governor’s move comes amid growing debate over the technology’s regulation and the extent to which governments should prioritise innovation, safety and oversight.

Trump’s renaming of AI was preceded by a social media poll in which he asked followers to choose among alternative names, including “Superior Intelligence”, “Extreme Intelligence” and “Supreme Intelligence”. He subsequently settled on “Super Intelligence”.

The Trump administration has since moved to formalise the terminology change, with reports that an executive order directs federal agencies to use “Super Intelligence” and “SI” in official communications.

Newsom’s order, however, makes clear that California agencies under his authority will continue using the conventional terms, setting up a notable terminology split between the federal government and California.