Takaichi keeps the term 'AI' as Trump says those not using 'SI' are seen as enemies
In short
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told the House of Representatives on 8 October that "at this stage it is AI" when asked whether Japan would follow US President Donald Trump in renaming artificial intelligence "superintelligence" (SI). Trump has signed an executive order telling government agencies to use the term SI, and on 8 October he said on social media that the White House regards everyone who uses "AI" instead of "SI" as an enemy, TBS NEWS DIG reported.
Read the full story 2 min read
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on 8 October that Japan will, for now, keep using the term "AI" for artificial intelligence, rather than following US President Donald Trump in calling it "superintelligence" (SI). "At this stage it is AI," she told a plenary session of the House of Representatives, Sankei Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
She was answering Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People. Citing Trump's executive order ordering government agencies to use the name SI, Tamaki asked whether the prime minister agreed, "or do you think that in Japan AI can stay AI?", according to Sankei Shimbun. [ 1 ]
Takaichi said that in Japan the term AI is common, starting with government documents and academic papers, and that it would be difficult to immediately replace everything with SI. She said the government would assess whether a change of name is necessary while taking into account the terms used in the international community and the responses of other governments. Sankei Shimbun said the session was the parties' representative questions on the prime minister's policy speech, and that Takaichi and Tamaki also debated deregulation for building data centres, for which demand is growing quickly as AI spreads, and AI safety. [ 1 , 2 ]
On 8 October Trump said in a social media post that "the White House regards everyone who uses the term 'AI', artificial intelligence, rather than 'SI', superintelligence, as an enemy," TBS NEWS DIG reported. Gigazine also reported the statement. According to TBS NEWS DIG, Trump has argued that the word "artificial" sounds like "fake". [ 4 , 5 ]
Tokyo Shimbun reported that Trump signed the executive order in September. Tokyo Shimbun said Trump had announced an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to use SI in place of AI, while TBS NEWS DIG said the White House announced that agreement after a summit between the two leaders. [ 2 , 4 ]
Why it matters
Takaichi's answer puts Japan's government at odds, for now, with the terminology Trump is pushing; she said Japan will watch how the international community and other governments respond before deciding whether a change is needed. Trump's statement that users of the term "AI" are regarded as enemies was reported by Japanese business and tech outlets on the following day.
Key facts
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said "at this stage it is AI" when asked whether to rename artificial intelligence "superintelligence" (SI). [ 1 , 2 ]
- She was answering Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, during representative questions in the House of Representatives on 8 October. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Takaichi said the term AI is common in Japan, including in government documents and academic papers, and that it would be difficult to replace everything immediately. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Trump signed an executive order directing government agencies to use the name SI. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun reported that the executive order was signed in September. [ 2 ]
- On 8 October Trump said in a social media post that the White House regards everyone who uses the term "AI" rather than "SI" as an enemy. [ 4 , 5 ]
- An agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to replace the term AI with SI was announced on the US side. [ 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Takaichi said "at this stage it is AI" in answer to a question from Yuichiro Tamaki on 8 October. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Trump signed an executive order directing government agencies to use the name SI. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Trump said those who use the term "AI" instead of "SI" are regarded as enemies. [ 4 , 5 ]
- An agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to use SI in place of AI was announced on the US side. [ 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Who announced the agreement with Xi Jinping. Tokyo Shimbun says Trump announced it, while TBS NEWS DIG says the White House announced it after a summit.
- When the executive order was signed. Only Tokyo Shimbun gives a date, saying it was signed in September.
- What being regarded as an "enemy" would mean in practice. The documents report Trump's statement but give no detail on any consequences.
- Trump's reasoning that the word "artificial" sounds like "fake". Reported only by TBS NEWS DIG.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- 8 October: Sankei Shimbun reports Takaichi's answer in the House of Representatives that "at this stage it is AI". [ 1 ]
- 8 October: Tokyo Shimbun reports Takaichi's answer and that Trump signed the SI executive order in September. [ 2 ]
- 9 October: TBS NEWS DIG reports Trump's 8 October social media post saying users of "AI" instead of "SI" are regarded as enemies. [ 4 ]
- 9 October: Gigazine reports Trump's statement. [ 5 ]