The US Justice Department told its lawyers to stop saying "AI." A memo from acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter, seen by Reuters, directs employees to use the terms "super intelligence" or "SI" instead of "artificial intelligence" in most circumstances. This includes court filings, public communications, and internal policy documents.
The directive lands hard in a legal system built on precision. McCotter’s order specifies that the new terminology applies "to the maximum extent permitted by law." It follows an executive order signed last week by President Donald Trump, who argued the new label better reflects the technology’s rapid advancement.
The timing feels political. Public trust in AI has dropped after a string of high-profile hacking incidents raised fresh questions about safety and oversight. Trump has consistently resisted new regulatory frameworks for the sector, though he has stated the Justice Department would step in if the technology becomes uncontrollable.
For federal prosecutors and judges, the change creates immediate friction. Legal standards rely on established definitions; swapping a technical term for a more fantastical one could muddy precedents. The memo offers no transition period, meaning the shift starts now.
The next test comes in the courtroom. As DOJ attorneys draft their next briefs, they will face the uncomfortable task of arguing cases using terminology that most legal scholars and tech experts do not recognize. Watch for the first federal hearing where "SI" appears in the record.