California Governor Gavin Newsom has mocked US President Donald Trump’s decision to rename artificial intelligence “Super Intelligence” by issuing an executive order directing state agencies to continue using the terms “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI.”
Newsom announced the move in a post on X, 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 directs all California agencies and departments under the governor’s authority to refer to artificial intelligence as “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI,” regardless of any different terminology adopted by the federal government, unless otherwise required by law.
The order appeared to be a satirical response to Trump’s recent decision to replace “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, arguing that the word “artificial” made intelligence sound fake.
He said US government documents would henceforth use “Super Intelligence,” with “SI” as its abbreviation.
Newsom’s order also took a swipe at the significance of changing the technology’s name, arguing that renaming it does not address emerging concerns surrounding AI safety and security.
The California governor said the state remains a major centre of artificial intelligence innovation while pursuing measures focused on AI safety, security and consumer privacy.
Trump’s renaming proposal followed a social media poll in which he asked followers to choose among alternative names, including “Superior Intelligence,” “Extreme Intelligence” and “Supreme Intelligence,” before settling 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 means California agencies under his authority will continue using the conventional terms, creating a notable terminology split between the federal government and California as debate over AI regulation, innovation, safety and oversight continues.