Trump Says AI Isn’t Artificial, It’s Genius. Now He Wants to Rename It

On July 23, during the highly anticipated ‘AI Race Summit’ in Washington D.C., former U.S. President Donald Trump did what he’s known for—shaking up the narrative. This time, his target wasn’t a political opponent or a global organization—it was the term “artificial intelligence” itself.As he addressed a packed hall of policymakers, tech executives, and journalists, Trump casually announced that he wanted to rename AI. At first, it seemed like a joke. The room erupted in laughter. But Trump was quick to clarify—he wasn’t joking. He genuinely believed the term “artificial intelligence” was inappropriate and didn’t do justice to what AI really is.“I don’t like artificial anything,” he told the amused but attentive crowd. “It’s not artificial—it’s genius.”This wasn’t just a quirky comment. Trump’s speech marked a broader ideological and strategic push toward redefining America’s role in global AI innovation, not just technologically, but culturally and politically as well. This article delves into what exactly Trump said, why he said it, and what it means for the United States’ AI ambitions.

Donald Trump’s discomfort with the term “artificial intelligence” was made clear during his speech. He framed AI as a groundbreaking force that deserved a name reflective of its brilliance and authenticity—not something “artificial.”

“These are the earliest days of one of the most important technological revolutions in the history of the world,” he declared. “Around the globe, everyone is talking about artificial intelligence. I find that too artificial—I can’t stand it. I don’t even like the name.”

To Trump, calling it “artificial” minimizes the very real, transformative power of AI. He urged the audience—and implicitly, the entire tech community—to “straighten that out.”

“Could we straighten that out, please? We should change the name,” he said.

Although met with laughter, Trump was quick to reiterate that he was not being humorous. “I actually mean that,” he said. “I don’t like to name that artificial anything, 'cause it’s not artificial—it’s genius. It’s pure genius.”

For Trump, the semantics matter. In his view, the term “artificial” suggests something fake or insincere—qualities that do not align with the revolutionary capacity of AI. His concern was not just linguistic; it was philosophical. He saw AI not as an imitation of human intelligence, but as a bold leap into technological mastery.

While his remarks on rebranding AI made headlines, Trump’s appearance at the summit also marked a significant policy moment. That same day, he signed a sweeping executive order to initiate what he called an “aggressive, low-regulation strategy” aimed at securing American leadership in the global AI race.

“America is the country that started the AI race,” Trump said, before signing the executive order. “And as president of the United States, I’m here today to declare that America is going to win it.”

According to AFP reports, the strategy spans a detailed 25-page plan focused on minimizing regulatory barriers, accelerating innovation, and asserting international leadership in AI. Trump presented it as a national imperative—comparing the AI competition to historic milestones such as the space race.

“Winning this competition will be a test of our capacities unlike anything since the dawn of the space age,” he emphasized.

The plan includes a wide-ranging collection of over 90 proposals, with key areas of focus being infrastructure development, global collaboration, and government support for private sector innovation. The overall tone was clear: the Trump administration saw AI as a cornerstone of America’s future economic and military strength—and was prepared to cut red tape to get there.

Trump’s insistence on renaming artificial intelligence might seem like branding semantics—but it fits squarely within his broader narrative of nationalism and American exceptionalism.

He used the summit to emphasize that winning the AI race would require more than just technical expertise; it would demand ideological commitment and loyalty to the American cause.

“Winning the AI race will demand a new spirit of patriotism and national loyalty in Silicon Valley and beyond,” Trump stated firmly.

He then criticized American tech giants for what he perceived as a betrayal of national interest. “For too long, many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India, and slashing profits in Ireland.”

By calling for a recommitment to American values within the tech sector, Trump positioned his AI strategy as not just a technological effort, but a cultural and geopolitical one. It was, in essence, a rallying cry—to reclaim control of a critical future technology from foreign influence and internal apathy.

One of the most striking elements of Trump’s AI Action Plan is its firm commitment to deregulation. The administration has made it clear that it intends to remove what it describes as “red tape and onerous regulation” that could slow down AI development.

The belief is simple: to stay ahead of global rivals—especially China—the U.S. needs a regulatory environment that encourages speed, risk-taking, and private-sector investment.

However, critics may note that the plan appears to downplay or even ignore environmental concerns. According to reports, the environmental consequences of AI development are not given much attention in the planning document, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of such a high-speed, high-stakes approach.

Still, the core of the plan revolves around three primary goals:

• Accelerating innovation
• Building robust infrastructure
• Asserting international leadership

In Trump’s view, the future of AI—and by extension, the future of American power—depends on how quickly and decisively the country can act. And for that, the road must be cleared of bureaucratic hurdles.

Trump’s AI Vision Is About Power, Identity, and Perception

Donald Trump’s push to rename artificial intelligence is more than a linguistic quirk. It reflects a deeper belief that the language we use shapes how we understand and engage with technology. To him, calling it “artificial” undersells the brilliance and ingenuity that AI represents.

But more importantly, the idea ties into a larger framework: American leadership, strategic dominance, and cultural control over the technologies of the future. Trump’s remarks—and the AI Action Plan he signed—signal a vision where the United States not only leads in building AI but also redefines how it is perceived and positioned on the global stage.

Whether or not the name “artificial intelligence” is ever changed, Trump has once again succeeded in shifting the conversation. By branding AI as “genius” rather than “artificial,” he is staking a claim—not just to the future of technology, but to the language and loyalty that surround it.

In typical Trump fashion, what began as a headline-grabbing statement ended as a declaration of ideological war—on outdated terminology, foreign dominance, and passive patriotism. For better or worse, the name may remain the same, but the way America talks about AI might never be quite the same again.


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