AI has a new name in Washington
In September 2026, US President Donald Trump announced during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly that artificial intelligence would be called "super intelligence". According to reports of the announcement, his reasoning was that the word "artificial" made the technology sound fake, when in his view it is anything but.
A week later, the announcement became policy. On 29 September 2026, the White House published a fact sheet on an executive order that replaces the term "Artificial Intelligence" (AI) with "Super Intelligence" (SI) across the executive branch of the US government.
For anyone who uses AI tools in their business, the obvious question is: does this change anything for me? The short answer is no, but the story behind it is still worth understanding.
What the order actually changes
According to the White House fact sheet, the order:
- Replaces "AI" with "SI" in the executive branch's official correspondence, public communications, policy documents and non-statutory documents.
- Applies to federal departments and agencies within the US executive branch.
- Asks for a federal definition. The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology is directed to develop a formal definition of Super Intelligence and identify any further actions needed.
- Sits alongside new funding. The fact sheet also highlights more than $5 billion for the "Genesis Mission", a national effort to use the technology to accelerate breakthroughs in science, medicine, energy and manufacturing.
What it does not change
It is just as important to be clear about what stays the same.
- The technology is identical. The chatbots, image tools and automation software you use today work exactly as they did last week. Only the label used by one government has changed.
- Laws are not renamed. The order covers non-statutory documents. Laws passed by Congress that use the term "artificial intelligence" keep their wording.
- It applies to the US government, not to you. Businesses, schools and governments elsewhere, including in India, are free to keep saying AI, and almost all of them will.
- Your customers still search for "AI". People looking for help type "AI tools for small business" or "AI chatbot for website". Those search habits will take years to shift, if they shift at all.
Why "superintelligence" already meant something else
There is a catch. In the technology world, "superintelligence" has had a specific meaning for years: a hypothetical future AI that would outperform humans at almost every intellectual task. It is the stated long-term goal of some AI companies, and also the main worry of researchers who argue it should be slowed down or banned.
The tools that exist today, including the most advanced ones, are not superintelligent in that sense. They are very capable at particular jobs, such as writing, summarising, answering questions, spotting patterns and following instructions, but they still make mistakes and still need people to check their work.
So the same word now carries two meanings: an official US label for today's AI, and a technical term for something that does not exist yet. Expect some confusion in headlines for a while.
What this means for your business
For a small or growing business, the rename is a reminder to focus on what the technology does, not what it is called. A few practical points:
- Do not rebrand chasing the headline. Renaming your "AI chatbot" to "SI chatbot" will confuse more customers than it impresses. Use the words your customers use.
- Keep your claims honest. Calling an ordinary tool "super intelligent" in your marketing sets expectations it cannot meet. Describe the benefit plainly: "answers enquiries instantly" beats any label.
- Watch for government opportunities. Large public funding programmes such as the Genesis Mission tend to create work for technology suppliers, researchers and partners, including those outside the US.
- Use the tools you already have. The real value is still in everyday automation: replying to enquiries, sorting leads, drafting content and saving your team hours each week.
If you are not sure where to begin, our guide to the best AI automation tools for small business is a good starting point.
Where AI helps small businesses today
Whatever it is called, this is where we see the technology paying for itself right now:
| Task | What automation does | Typical result |
|---|---|---|
| Customer enquiries | Answers common questions on your website or WhatsApp, day and night | Fewer missed leads after hours |
| Lead sorting | Reads incoming enquiries and flags the serious ones | Faster replies to the customers most likely to buy |
| Content drafting | Produces first drafts of posts, emails and product descriptions | Hours saved each week, with a person still editing |
| Reporting | Pulls sales and marketing numbers into one summary | Decisions based on data rather than guesswork |
| Search visibility | Structures your website so AI assistants can understand and cite it | More chances to appear when people ask AI for recommendations |
That last point is growing fast. As more people ask AI assistants for recommendations, being understood by those assistants matters. We explain how in generative engine optimisation.
The bottom line
The US government has changed a word, not the technology. For most businesses, nothing needs to change except, perhaps, keeping an eye on the headlines. The opportunity is the same as it was before: use these tools to answer customers faster, work more efficiently and be found more easily.
If you would like to put that into practice, our AI automation team builds practical systems for small and growing businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Did Trump rename AI to super intelligence?
Yes. He announced it at the UN General Assembly in September 2026, and on 29 September 2026 the White House announced an executive order replacing "Artificial Intelligence" with "Super Intelligence" (SI) across the US executive branch.
Does the name change affect businesses in India?
No. The order applies to US federal departments and agencies. Businesses and governments in India and elsewhere can keep using the term AI.
Is today's AI actually superintelligent?
No. In technical terms, superintelligence means a future AI that outperforms humans at nearly every intellectual task. Today's tools are powerful at specific jobs but still make mistakes and need human oversight.
Should I call my AI product "SI" now?
We would not recommend it. Customers still search for and understand "AI", so switching labels is more likely to confuse them than attract them.
What is the Genesis Mission?
According to the White House, it is a national initiative with more than $5 billion in funding to use the technology to accelerate breakthroughs in science, medicine, energy and manufacturing.
Sources
- The White House: Fact sheet: President Donald J. Trump inaugurates the era of Super Intelligence
- The Washington Post: Trump says he's renaming AI to 'super intelligence'
- Axios: Trump names AI "super intelligence," but tech world has its own definition
- Forbes: Trump signs executive order renaming AI to 'Super Intelligence'
Next step
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