US President Donald Trump has proposed rebranding artificial intelligence as “Super Intelligence,” arguing the word “artificial” makes the technology sound fake.
Trump unveiled the proposed name change during an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday local time (Wednesday AEST).
He said the US — and “hopefully the world” — would begin using “Super Intelligence”, or SI, in future official documents.
“The use of the word ‘artificial’ makes intelligence fake — it makes it sound fake, and it is not fake,” Trump said.
“It’s actually amazing, but we have to be careful.”
Trump said “Super Intelligence” sounded “much better” and was “much more accurate”.
The proposal follows a poll Trump posted on his social media platform asking users to choose between “Super Intelligence” and “Superior Intelligence,” with the former receiving almost twice as many votes.
Trump also used his UN address to reject calls for greater international control over the rapidly developing technology.
“The United States also totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control the artificial intelligence being spoken of,” he said.
Trump said the development of the technology should be encouraged rather than curtailed as the US competes with China for dominance in the sector.
“Whoever wins superintelligent, wins. That’s the group that wins,” he said.
Trump claimed the US was already well ahead in the race.
“We’re leading now over China by a lot and everyone else,’’ he said.
“And we’re going to keep it that way. We’re going to keep it, straight and strong.
His comments came a day after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined leaders from more than 20 countries in calling for greater oversight of advanced AI.
The joint statement — also signed by Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and South Africa — warned the pace of AI’s development could outpace abilities to manage the associated risks.
“AI must remain under human direction, oversight and control. It must be developed and used in line with international law,” the joint statement said.
Albanese said other countries around the world were announcing reforms for AI.
“This is just one of the aspects that the world now is debating,” he said.
The prime minister told a UN coalition for child protections in the AI age that while the technology had the potential for opportunities, there were dangers involved.
“We also see that AI can pose a range of potential risks. From the exploitation of children, the potential to enable biological weapons, or even the loss of control of AI systems themselves,” he said.
“And as AI capabilities advance, these risks will increasingly cross borders.”
Albanese was in the audience for Trump’s address to the United Nations, alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
He denied the comments from Trump had dampened efforts by Australia and other nations to slow the roll out.
“We have put forward a strong position,” he told reporters in New York.
“There are a range of advantages, but we need to make sure that humans are in control.”
“We’ll wait and see what comes out of the meeting between President Trump and President Xi. It’s good that they’re meeting, and it’s good that this is on the agenda.”
Trump is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington on Thursday US time.